Red Wings: Notebook

Improved play marks win streak for Wings

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Detroit -- Don't look now but the Red Wings, on a three-game winning streak, are one point behind the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Central Division.

"It's way too early to be looking at that," coach Mike Babcock said after Detroit scored a 2-1 shootout win over San Jose on Thursday. "You just have to keep plugging. Our goal is to be in a spot where we can feel good about ourselves after 20 games."

Reasons for the recent surge are numerous, but it starts with goalie Chris Osgood. He has allowed two goals in his last nine periods. The defense has settled back in to its original partnerships -- Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski, Brad Stuart and Niklas Kronwall, and Jonathan Ericsson and Brett Lebda.

There also has been a settling on the forward lines. The injury to Valtteri Filppula opened a door for Patrick Eaves to get regular ice time and he has flourished. Playing on a speed line with Darren Helm and Kris Draper, Eaves had three shots, an assist and five hits Thursday.

"Helm and Eaves have been playing real well," Babcock said. "They've been very aggressive, creating chances."

The big guns, too, are starting to heat up. Henrik Zetterberg had a goal and scored in a shootout Thursday. He has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in his last 10 games. Pavel Datsyuk, besides providing 10 points in the last 11 games, has stymied two of the hottest forwards in the league this past week. First, he helped keep Jarome Iginla shotless in Calgary, then he helped limit San Jose center Patrick Marleau to two shots, stopping his nine-game point streak.

"We weren't quick enough off the start, for whatever reason," Babcock said. "But we've been a work in progress and we've been getting better. Even when we weren't winning the games, we felt we were getting better.

"The scoring chances against were down and our shots were up. We went on the road trip and we averaged 38 shots for and 28 against. We thought it was a good trip.

"It's not always going to work out, but if you keep battling and you don't sulk or hang your head, you are going to be fine over a period of time."

May back

Brad May is going to look different when he gets back on the ice -- which could be tonight in Toronto.

For the first time in his 19 NHL seasons, he's going to wear a visor.

"Whatever it takes to get out there, right?" he said.

May has been cleared to play by doctors after taking an inadvertent stick in the eye from teammate Jason Williams in Calgary last week.

"I am lucky," he said. "The stick hit me square on the eye ball. I thought it could have been so serious. But, five or six days and I feel terrific. I am a lucky guy."

The Wings did not practice Friday, so the first time he will skate since the injury will be Saturday morning in Toronto.

"I am cleared, it's just a matter of getting on the ice and falling into place wherever Babs thinks it will work," May said. "I am definitely ready to go."

Ice chip

The Wings will face another dangerous scorer tonight in Toronto's Phil Kessel . He blasted 10 shots at the Lightning in his Maple Leafs debut.

chris.mccosky@detnews.com (313) 222-1489