"Marco is playing very well," coach Derek Lalonde said Wednesday. "He’s assertive in his game. There’s times he’s playing with pace, he can drive, and I think that can help Patty. Start the day smarter.

PITTSBURGH -- Marco Kasper has played in every game with the Detroit Red Wings since he was recalled from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions on Oct. 18, and the 20-year-old forward wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

What’s perhaps most alarming about the 7-9-2 start to the season for the Detroit Red Wings is that unlike the teams beating them of late, they aren’t a rebuilding club opting to let a group of kids learn the hard way on the fly.

The Detroit Red Wings are coming off a solid, 60-minute performance as they take on the Bruins for the third time in a month