from Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News,

They want opponents to understand they have a battle on their hands when they play the Wings, especially in Little Caesars Arena.

In training camp, Jeff Blashill started calling their approach to a game, “60 minutes of hell.”

He thinks the Red Wings are getting there....

...the toughness the Red Wings and Blashill have in mind is not pugilism alone.

A difficult team to play against is also disciplined about the space it allows opponents.

Constantly “closing the gaps” is, in part, confrontational But, it also requires disciplined will and vigilance. And, it makes for good, tough defense.

“I think from a physicality standpoint, and from a hunting-and-hounding type of standpoint, we’re closer to that than we were at the beginning of the year,” Blashill said.

“I think our physicality has increased over the last three or four weeks.”

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