Joakim-Andersson-4-2-14

The Red Wings and Joakim Andersson realize the importance of a net-front presence against Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings anticipate a lot of action around the crease in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff series against Boston.

At least, they hope to get to the net and wreak havoc around Tuukka Rask while trying to keep the big-bodied Bruins away from Jimmy Howard as much as possible.

The Red Wings can't match the Bruins' size, strength and physicality. But they can be tenacious around the net, and they have to play that way, coach Mike Babcock said, in a series that begins Friday at TD Garden.



“It’s huge and it’s something we bang on each and every day,” Babcock said. “We just got to continue to get better at it if we’re going to have success, especially against a heavy team like Boston and the kind of goaltending they have.”

Babcock structures his lines so there is at least one net-front presence on each unit – Justin Abdelkader, Riley Sheahan, Tomas Jurco and David Legwand.

“(The playoffs are) not about the fancy plays, the three-on-ones, three-on-twos, especially playing Boston,” Abdelkader said. “They play so tight, they’re not going to give you any freebies. When you get a chance you got to get around that front of the net.

“Boston is not going to make it easy. These guys get in front of the net. That’s what it’s going to take in the playoffs. Tuukka Rask is probably one of the best goalies in the league. You got to make sure you get in front of his eyes, get there for second and third chances.”

When they get to the net, the Red Wings will be met by 6-foot-9 Zdeno Chara, one of the best and most punishing defensemen in the game. Johnny Boychuk and Matt Bartkowski are other physical defenders for Boston.

“With Chara, he’s just so big, he’s going to box you out, he’s going to play tough, he’s going to play physical against you,” Abdelkader said. “You just got to try to get to the front of the net.”

Speed and quickness helps.

“You got to skate him,” Abdelkader said. “He can skate well but you got to move your feet as much as you can on him.”

At the other end of the ice, the Bruins sometimes use Chara as a net-front presence on the power play. They also have several forwards who can be hard to play against – large (Milan Lucic, Shawn Thornton, Jarome Iginla), medium (Gregory Campbell) and small (Brad Marchand).

“It’s not like you’re going to be able to box them out or anything like that,” Howard said. “(Chara) is just so massive; find a way to tie up sticks, pick a side on him and just try and find the puck as best as possible.”

Miller, Quincey are team’s ironmen

Forward Drew Miller and defensemen Kyle Quincey were the only Red Wings to play all 82 games.

“Good for Q and Millsie,” Babcock said. “I think Millsie's always been available. He only sits because I’d scratch him. Millsie had a good year. Q got off to a tough start but he’s been much better.”

Said Miller: “There are nights when you’re a little banged up, but with the amount of injuries we’ve had you just have to play through it. You have to be available to help the team. I don’t know if that’s lucky or whatever it is you just prepare and get your body ready for a full season.”

Alfredsson, Kronwall lead in scoring

Niklas Kronwall and Daniel Alfredsson finished as the Red Wings’ leading scorers this season with 49 points each.

By comparison, Pavel Datsyuk led the team with 49 points last year – in a 48-game lockout-shortened season.

It is the fewest points for the Red Wings scoring leader in a non-lockout shortened season since 1945-46 (Joe Carveth with 35 points during a 50-game schedule).

It is only the second time in franchise history a defenseman has led the team in points (Paul Coffey did it during the lockout-shortened 1995 season with 58 points).