Bally Sports Detroit celebrated Chris Osgood's 50th birthday.

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

"(Former Wings general manager) Ken Holland used to talk about that all the time," said captain Dylan Larkin, who had a goal Wednesday. "It's still early. We've put ourselves in great position. We've gotten some great team wins and we're right there. I'd like to see it. I'm a big believer when you're in a playoff spot in Easter (around the start of the playoffs), it means something and that's what matters.

"We have to be right there, and I said it from day one, just keep us in there and stay right in it and see what happens. We're finding ways to win right now and when things aren't going our way, it's not snowballing. It's a huge improvement over the past few years."...

"This probably was the first goalie complete win, he stole the game," coach Derek Lalonde said. "He's been great, solid, and there are games we've been real good in front of him and he hasn't had to do a ton. But tonight, he was the difference in the game. He was the best player on the ice, and if he's not that good in the second or even the third (periods), we're probably looking at a different outcome."

Husso heard the large crowd at Little Caesars Arena chant his name most of the evening, and admitted he felt in a groove.

"The guys played well, blocked shots, especially in the third period, there was not much going on," Husso said. "It's just good to see. We still need to get better and everybody knows that, and there are a lot of games ahead of us.

"It's always nice to have the fans cheering and it's nice to hear. It gives us a little extra energy for sure."...

Lalonde said after Wednesday's victory, getting Hellberg was a bit of insurance in case anything goes wrong health wise to either Husso or Alex Nedeljkovic.

"We would like another option if something goes wrong with our top two guys," Lalonde said. "He gives us another option."

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from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,

Evidently, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is concerned by the struggles of Alex Nedeljkovic and also by the fact it doesnt appear that either the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins goalies, Jussi Olkinuora or Victor Brattstrom, could fill in at the NHL level.

Steve called me today, Lalone said. His exact words were, We have a lot of hockey coming up. We have a roster spot. I think it gives us another option if one of our two goalies here goes down.

I dont follow GR as closely as I probably should. I think we would like another option if something goes wrong with our top two guys. Literally Steves exact words.

more on tonight's game