from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

The Detroit Red Wings don’t expect steady offensive contribution from their fourth line, like they have had the past two games.

They will be satisfied with consistent energy from Jacob de la Rose, Darren Helm and Justin Abdelkader, strong forechecking, physical play and offensive zone time without sacrificing defense.

That is what the line provided Saturday, but it wasn’t nearly enough in a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Little Caesars Arena, because other lines weren’t clicking.

“They understand how they’re going to be successful,” coach Blashill said. “They’re a group that wants to put pucks behind people, they want to forecheck hard and they want to be physical and get to the net. I think it’s easily repeatable and that line can be a successful line for us.”

Said Dylan Larkin: “They kept it simple. They got pucks to the net and used each other as support. They were our best line tonight by far.”

Blashill said the fourth line has been “big, strong, heavy” and created scoring chances the past three games.

continued