DETROIT – Several players the Detroit Red Wings no doubt were hoping to deal by the trade deadline are struggling to the point where their value is either considerably low or they are not movable.

But a hot goaltender and a fast and talented but underachieving winger would draw interest.

Andreas Athanasiou and Jonathan Bernier could be the Red Wings’ most significant trade chips. It’s a decision general manager Steve Yzerman and his staff must make by the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

Bernier continued a two-month run of stellar play Sunday by making 39 saves in a 3-1 victory over the Boston Bruins at Little Caesars Arena.

Athanasiou, mired in a dreadful season, scored twice, the game-winner on the power play and the clincher in the final minute into an empty net.

The Red Wings (14-39-4) have defeated the Bruins (34-11-12) five times in a row and snapped their six-game winning streak.

Bernier is 7-5-0, with a 1.97 goals-against average and .940 save percentage since Dec. 12.

Is he in a zone?

“I was tonight,” Bernier said.

“I think mentally I’m just focusing on myself instead of maybe sometimes being upset that we’re not winning. Just trying to stay positive. At the same time, you play more, you get into a groove and that’s what’s happening right now.”

Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said, “He’s anticipating really well, getting from spot to spot really well, so he almost makes the one-timers look easy.”

Blashill doesn’t believe Bernier has changed anything technically.

“He works every day, as does Jimmy (Howard); they both work really hard with (goaltending coach) Jeff Salajko,” Blashill said. “I think confidence matters and (Bernier’s) confidence has obviously blossomed as he’s played better and better.”

Said Bernier: “Every player, when things are not going your way, if you put in the work, at some point, you’re going to get some bounces and things are going to start going your way. I don’t think early in the season my game was that off, but I wasn’t as consistent as now, and I think that’s what makes the difference right now.”

Typically, there is not a big market for goalies at the trade deadline. But if a playoff-contending club is seeking an experienced backup or its starter gets injured and it is willing to part with a second-round pick, might the Red Wings move Bernier?

The problem is that would leave Detroit needing to acquire, through trade or free agency, two NHL goalies this summer since Howard is in the final year of his contract. Bernier has one year remaining at $3 million and otherwise figures to be the Red Wings’ No. 1 heading into 2020-21.

Athanasiou snapped a 1-1 tie at 7:10 of the third period, after Brendan Perlini put the Red Wings up at 2:07 of the second and Torey Krug tied it 33 seconds into the third.

Athanasiou has seven goals in 40 games, his first since he netted a pair on Nov. 16, ending a 19-game goal-scoring drought.

Athanasiou’s struggles make him a prime trade candidate. The main question is whether the Red Wings hold onto him for the remainder of the season in hopes his off-season trade value increases or do they move him in the next two weeks.

Athanasiou will be a restricted free agent, coming off a two-year deal at $3 million a season.

Blashill showed confidence in Athanasiou by having him on the ice in the final minute to protect the one-goal lead. He sealed it with 28.1 seconds to play.

“When Andreas digs in, he’s really good defensively and you want talented guys out there in those situations because they find ways to score empty-net goals,” Blashill said. “I thought he was having a committed game and I wanted to make sure I reward him with that.”

It was Athanasiou’s fourth game back after missing 13 with a lower-body injury.

“I feel pretty good,” Athanasiou said. “Obviously, it’s getting better with every game, every shift.”

Yzerman has stated his desire to acquire draft picks at the deadline. Problem is, defenseman Mike Green might be the team’s only pending unrestricted free agent (rental) who draws interest. Howard. Trevor Daley and Jonathan Ericsson will be difficult to move.

Fabbri injured: Blashill had no update on forward Robby Fabbri, who suffered an upper-body injury late in the second period and did not return.

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