As of late, the Red Wings have looked like the team of old, shuffling four lines on the ice with each unit able to produce quality minutes on both the offensive and defensive side of the puck.

With the lack of depth Detroit is having to deal with for the first time in decades, veteran role players like Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby have been more heavily leaned on this season, and both have responded with three goals each and a +7 rating.

However, it has been more than the mature vets who have made the Red Wings bottom lines more effective. Kids like Justin Abdelkader and Darren Helm have also been productive for the Wings on the third and fourth units, and don’t forget about Patrick Eaves, who has been adjusting to the NHL at a rapid pace.

These guys are doing a lot of the dirty work, hustling after loose pucks and getting physical on the forecheck and backcheck, along with contributing with the occasional point as well.

The play of these role players have been a big part to Detroit’s current hot streak that they will take into tonight’s game against Dallas.  A victory would extend Detroit’s current winning streak to three games, tying the Red Wings longest of the season.

In closing this post, I would also like to wish former Wing great Brendan Shannahan good luck in life after hockey.

After 21 years of lacing up the skates and batting against the greatest hockey players in the world, Shanny is calling it a career.

As a college freshman, one of the greatest moments as a Red Wing fan was the acquisition of Shanny before the trade deadline in 1997. It was at that moment I felt that that was going to be the year that Detroit was going to end it’s 40-plus year drought of drinking out of Lord Stanley’s Cup.

I also remember playing NHL 98 on the old Playstation and when ever I got a goal with Shannahan, I would cue up my computer to play the Irish Jig. Every time I hear that tune now i think of No. 14.

Thanks for the memories Shanny. You will be missed.