Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning 11-3-15

Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith has been a healthy scratch the past three games.

(The Associated Press)

GROSSE POINTE WOODS - Watching Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith saw some areas in which he believes he could help the team for the rematch Sunday at the United Center.

"Just breaking out quickly so that we're playing in the offensive zone and being a little more competitive in some areas, just some speed in general," Smith said. "I think that's something I can bring to the team. I hope that will help the team continue to be in the playoffs and even jump a little bit higher, maybe take first (place)."

Smith, a healthy scratch the past three games, practiced Friday at McCann Arena paired with Mike Green. It appears Smith will replace Alexey Marchenko in the lineup, but coach Jeff Blashill reserved the right to decide after Saturday's practice in Chicago.

Smith was the odd-man out following Jonathan Ericsson's return from injury last Saturday. Blashill said it wasn't because of Smith's performance.

"I don't think it's a matter of what he needs to do better," Blashill said. "I didn't think it was a matter of what he did wrong. I've got seven NHL defensemen and I can only play six.

"We're splitting hairs a little bit on who goes in and who goes out. I think as a D corps we have to make sure to get the puck out of our own end, not by throwing it away, but preferably going tape-to-tape. If we don't have a play it's got to be a hard play into space or we have to eat it. We can't turn pucks over and he's certainly included in that. When he's at his best he's managing the puck well and he's involved in the play, both on the rush and in the O-zone. That's what he'll need to do to help us win a hockey game on Sunday."

Smith needs to manage the puck better and reduce turnovers. He can create scoring chances with his ability to skate with the puck, but that can also result in opportunities for the opposition if he's not careful.

"We want to play with the puck, we want to have the puck, we want to make good decisions so that we have it and they don't," Smith said. "For myself, that's something that I want to keep getting better at. But there are other things that I know that I can help this team. ... Just be competitive and strong and hard and I think that brings a different dynamic."

Smith and Green might seem like an odd couple since they're both offensive-minded, bit Smith believes they have developed decent chemistry.

"I think we've played well together," Smith said. "I think a few games before he was scratched) there were things that we could have done better, but as a team that wasn't our best few games. (Green) has a lot of skill and he helps my game.

"A lot of people talk about him being very offensive and I'm offensive, but we both play the whole ice, so we feed off each other and we've learned each other's tendencies, and that's the biggest thing as a D-partner. I think that's why we've been good together and Coach has kept us together."

Smith said he's focused on playing hard to keep his job.

"You're always disappointed when you don't get called in and you can't play," Smith said. "That's just like everybody, if you don't get the job, you're frustrated, and so what do you do to get that back? You work hard and you try to do your best to get that job back. So if I do get that chance I want to give it everything and make sure I keep it."

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