Dana Wakiji: Red Wings Insider

Darren Helm a quick fix for Wings line

Detroit

They haven't been together long enough to earn a clever nickname or a T-shirt with their caricatures on it, but the Red Wings line of Kris Draper, Darren Helm and Patrick Eaves could end up being a mainstay.

When the Wings lost center Valtteri Filppula to a broken wrist against the Oilers, coach Mike Babcock had Helm center Draper and Eaves the rest of the game. The line was responsible for two of the three third-period goals that helped the Wings salvage a point in a game they trailed 4-0 and 5-1.

"He (Babcock) just kind of threw it together in Edmonton when we were down and we were able to chip in with some goals," Draper said.

"All three of us certainly like to skate and get in on the forecheck, create opportunities that way. It's been fun. Anytime you can go out and try to get chemistry right off the hop with linemates, it certainly helps. Right now, the three of us are playing with confidence and we just feel we can go out and buzz around and support one another and feel that we can be responsible in our own end and we can create some offense and chip in with some goals."

In the time the three have been together, about four periods, Draper and Helm have two assists apiece and Eaves has a goal and an assist.

"I think they're tough to play against with that speed," captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. "They try to put the puck ahead of them all the time. With that speed they can forecheck real well, get on top of the other team's 'D.' They had some great scoring chances that game, too. They set up Stewie's (Brad Stuart) goal in Calgary."

When asked if this line was the fastest he's been on, Draper said, "I'd have to say so. Well, Helmer just brings a whole new dimension with the way that he can skate."

Babcock especially was pleased with Helm's last two games. Helm said he's now fully recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered at camp.

"I think each game I'm starting to get back to kind of where I finished off last year," he said.

"Obviously I'm happy with that but I'm not completely satisfied where I am. I want to keep getting better and better each game. There's a few guys out right now due to injuries, so I'm getting more ice time, playing with some great players, just trying to get better each game."

Babcock said he hadn't thought of this line until injuries forced his hand.

"I wanted Helm and Abby (Justin Abdelkader) to play in the middle," Babcock said. "I didn't play Draper in the middle in camp one time. Obviously with injuries, it just worked out that way. ... You can put Drapes in the middle, but I think it's better for us if he plays on the wall. Eaves, to me, is getting comfortable here, making a contribution."

Don't breathe on us

Draper semi-kiddingly stopped the media as they came into the locker room after Monday's practice and said, "Are you healthy? Did you get a flu shot?"

After visiting Edmonton, a team that had several players sick with the flu, Detroit knew it could be next.

Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson missed Saturday's game in Calgary with the flu and he and fellow blue-liners Brian Rafalski and Niklas Kronwall all missed Monday's practice.

"As soon as we were in Edmonton, we knew we were in trouble," Babcock said. "Their whole team was sick so we weren't surprised that we ended up with some sick guys. Ideally we'll have all hands on deck for (Tuesday). We'll just find out."

General manager Ken Holland said he didn't expect to call anyone up from Grand Rapids.

May on the mend

Brad May , who took an errant Jason Williams ' stick in his right eye against Calgary while sitting on the bench, was to see a doctor Monday afternoon.

"(It feels) surprisingly really good," said May, who is using eye drops. "It was scary on Saturday, though. It hit me square in the eye."

May said his vision in that eye was blurry.

"I think he'll be ready to go Saturday night," Babcock said.

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