Daniel-Alfredsson-10-2-13

Daniel Alfredsson isn't shy about unleashing his good, hard shot, especially from the point on the power play.

(MLive.com/Mike Mulholland)

DETROIT – One of Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock's biggest complaints about his team, particularly on the power play, has been players' reluctance to shoot.

Too often they pass the puck around looking for the perfect shot rather than fire away and chase the rebound.

Daniel Alfredsson doesn't hesitate to unleash his shot, which pleases Babcock.

“You can make all of the nice plays that you want,'' Babcock said. “Alfie, he’s a smart player, he’s got good puck poise. The other thing I like about him is he shoots it. You got to shoot it on the power play to have any success. Pass it around does you no good.

“You start with a shot and you get it back and that creates motion and that is deception, so when you all stand still, stick-handle it and pass it nothing happens.

“He’s done a good job of shooting. He’s done a good job with motion. He’s done a good job with patience, so obviously, we think we’re set up to have a better power play.''

The power play went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's season-opening 2-1 win over Buffalo, but Babcock liked what he saw.

“We had the puck on a string, but we have to score in the end,'' he said.

Alfredsson didn't practice Thursday due to the sore groin that bothered him much of the preseason, but he said he'll be ready to play both games this weekend, Friday at Carolina and Saturday at Boston.

“It's the reality of being 40,'' Alfredsson said. “Just being smart about it. I definitely would like to practice. I enjoy practice. But starting the season with three (games) in four (nights) you got to be careful.''

Alfredsson logged 16:13 in ice time Wednesday. In addition to playing the right point on the first power-play unit, he also killed penalties. He didn't figure in the scoring, but his line, with Stephen Weiss and Johan Franzen, had some chances and looked in sync.

“You want to play for (his teammates) and make sure you pull your weight,'' Alfredsson said. “The guys and everybody in the organization have been great to me, so it's been pretty easy transition.''

Tatar might play a game this weekend

Babcock said Tomas Tatar might play in one of the next two games. He took Alfredsson's place on the second line in practice Thursday.

“We can put him in at anytime and we’ll see what happens, if he plays in one of these two games or doesn’t, I don’t know for sure,'' Babcock said. “Think about that more on the flight and by tomorrow morning have a decision on our lines for tomorrow.”

Babcock said of Tatar: “The puck follows him around; the puck goes in the net when he’s out there. He knows how to play, he’s competitive. He’s a good player.”

Tatar knows he must be ready when he gets the call.

“It's the life. What can you do?'' Tatar said. “I'm just trying to not get out of it, stay focused and be prepared.

“I'm (staying) in game shape with (assistant coach) Tom Renney out there, skating a lot (after practice). So whenever a spot will be open I'll jump in there.''

Tootoo closer, but not cleared yet

Right wing Jordin Tootoo (bruised shoulder) is closer to returning but probably not this weekend.

“Feels pretty good, did a lot of battle drills in the corner, putting a lot more pressure on the joint, no aches and pains thus far,'' Tootoo said. “It's a day-to-day process. I think a few more practices where there's a lot more contact and battle drills in the corner just to get a bit more of a test is probably what I need before I play a game.

“I play a pretty rough game, I just want to make sure mentally I'm comfortable and playing 100 percent.''