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Red Wings Notebook: Fabbri, Husso out Saturday vs. Leafs; Vrana not riding to rescue

Expect Magnus Hellberg to start in goal for Detroit on Sautrday

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Red Wings Magnus Hellberg
Magnus Hellberg figures to be getting the start in goal for the Red Wings on Saturday in Toronto.

Two players who were playing key roles for the Detroit Red Wings on Friday won’t be playing at all on Saturday.

Villle Husso wasn’t overly taxed in net for the Detroit Red Wings while making 17 saves during a 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Friday. Regardless, expect to see backup Magnus Hellberg in goal when the Red Wings travel to Toronto to face the Maple Leafs on Saturday.

“It was not a huge volume night,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “He didn’t get a lot of volume, a ton of chances against, a lot of looks, but he’s coming off sickness. I don’t think it’s anyone’s best interest to play him three in four (nights).

We’ll talk as a staff but I’d expect Magnus in tomorrow.”

Likewise, load management will also see forward Robby Fabbri taking a seat rather than suiting up against the Leafs. In his second game back following knee surgery, Fabbri was the scorer of Detroit’s second goal, his first of the season. On top of that, he displayed a feisty, frequently engaging in physcial battles with Florida players.

“Awesome, that’s great,” Lalonde said. “That’s how our team toughness has to look – physical, hard, finish checks and that was a big boost for us at the time. Obviously, he gets the big goal, gives us a chance at the end. His game has come along really nicely.

“I don’t see playing him (Saturday) but great spark for us. Good sign for him and our team going forward.”

Vrana Not Coming Back Anytime Soon

For those holding on for a return of the scoring outbursts of Jakub Vrana, take a breath. Vrana’s recall from AHL Grand Rapids is not currently on the agenda of things to do for the Red Wings.

Lalonde wasn’t all interested in entering a discussion about the value that Vrana’s finishing touch could be supplying his suddenly goal-starved squad. Vrana, who has 22 goals in 39 games for Detroit, was placed on waivers this week and assigned to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

Vrana recently returned to Detroit after a stint in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He’s in GR seeking to rediscover his game.

The hope for Vrana is potential,” Lalonde said. “Right now he has one goal for us. Right now he has zero goals in (five) games in Grand Rapids. Theoretically, that’s easy to say when you’re not scoring, yes, the potential of that, but the potential of any goal-scorer is something you hope for.”

Berggren Continuing To Impress Red Wings Brass

With each passing game, rookie forward Jonatan Berggren is firmly establishing his credentials as an NHLer. When the tough decisions are coming soon as forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Filip Zadina are returning from injury, it’s becoming clear that Berggren, who was scoring his sixth goal of the season Friday, won’t be sacrficed to make room.

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“He continues to make plays,” Lalonde said of Berggren. “One of our skilled guys on entries. Poised with the puck. Any line he’s been on, he’s driven offense.

“Now we’re just going to ask him for consistency in it. We’re seeing it now and hopefully he can keep building on it.”

Ice Chips

Friday’s loss left the Red Wings with just two wins in their last 20 games against the Panthers . . . With a pair of assists, Detroit defenseman Filip Hronek was counting as many points Friday as he had over his previous 11 games (1-1-2) . . . Former Red Wings forward Givani Smith collected an assist for Florida.