Detroit Red Wings News: Anthony Mantha set to return tonight in Buffalo
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Red Wings hope to receive a boost offensively tonight when they square off with the Buffalo Sabres.
Finally, forward Anthony Mantha is set to return to the Detroit Red Wings lineup tonight in Buffalo. Let’s face it; it’s big news. Ultimately, the Wings won’t rely on the likes of Darren Helm or Justin Abdelkader, both fourth line talents to skate alongside Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi on Detroit’s top line.
The Detroit Red Wings recently saw Andreas Athanasiou return to the lineup playing as a top-six forward, perhaps showcasing his talent leading up to the NHL trade deadline. It’s been a year to forget for Athanasiou, but he’s a streaky scorer coming off a two-goal performance at home against the leagues’ best Bruins. He may find his game just in time to fetch Steve Yzerman some future assets at the deadline as teams diligently search for depth scoring this time of year.
When I think of Anthony Mantha, I can’t help but recall the rich injury history he’s provided us with over the last few seasons. He’s broken his hand four-years ago during a fight with his former teammate Luke Witkowski during his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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Two years later, he’d break his hand again in a fight with now teammate defenseman Patrik Nemeth who was a member of the Colorado Avalanche at the time.
This season he’s been forced to miss an extended amount of time twice; first three weeks early in the season with a knee injury and most recently due to a punctured lung he suffered after being violently slammed to the ice by Toronto Maple Leaf defenseman Jake Muzzin.
Mantha described the pain the worst he’s ever felt in his life. The injury happened just before Christmas, yet Anthony Mantha’s 12 goals still rank him third on the team behind his usual linemates Tyler Bertuzzi (18) and Dylan Larkin (15) on the season.
Despite appearing in just 29 games this season, Mantha ranks fifth on the Detroit Red Wings with 24 points. Head coach Jeff Blashill will likely look to ease Anthony Mantha back into the lineup. Still, he should immediately see plenty of time playing with Larkin and Bertuzzi tonight in Buffalo.
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The Detroit Red Wings will have plenty of roster decisions to make in the coming weeks, but Detroit’s ‘big-three’ Bertuzzi, Mantha, and Larkin should be as good as untouchable on the trade front. The same goes for defensemen Mo Seider and Filip Hronek; after that, everyone will be available.