(Photo: Paul Sancya, AP)
Detroit – When it comes to the experiment of playing Andreas Athanasiou at center, coach Jeff Blashill was direct in his analysis.
“Some nights I’ve liked it, some nights not,” Blashill said after Saturday’s 2-1 Red Wings victory over the New York Islanders.
Athanasiou scored both Wings goals, did everything defensively the Wings would want, and received a huge passing grade playing center.
“He was excellent,” Blashill said.
The two goals gave Athanasiou 26 for the season, one short of Dylan Larkin (27), who has established himself the type of two-way center the Wings would enjoy seeing Athanasiou become.