DETROIT – Last week Mike Babcock said Niklas Kronwall and Danny DeKeyser are his team's top defenseman.
Maybe that's not such a surprising statement about Kronwall. He's been a leader on this team for years. Yet, for DeKeyser, who has played in only a handful of NHL playoff games, it's high praise for sure.
Recommended Videos
"He's a real good player, an elite skater, makes good decisions. He's good on the penalty kill. He's good on the power play when we use him there," said Babcock after Monday morning's skate at Joe Louis Arena.
DeKeyser is part of a Red Wings defensive group which has taken criticism all season for inconsistency, turnovers in their own zone and overall defensive breakdowns. Other than a lapse in Game 2 against the Lightning and a momentary, yet fatal, breakdown at the end of Game 4, DeKeyser and his blue-line teammates have shown a lot of improvement.
"It's a lot tougher out there in the playoffs. Everything gets a lot smaller ... this time of the year mistakes can be costly. It's better to be patient," said DeKeyser. "A lot of times just chipping it out and living to die another day is the way to play."
In other words, being responsible with the puck has been key for the 25-year-old defenseman. And his coach knows if one of DeKeyser's teammates falls victim to another lapse in judgement, No. 65 will right the wrong.
32593014
"(DeKeyser's) just a human eraser. He makes all the mistakes everyone else makes go away," said Babcock.
That's quite the tool to have on defense. His play has helped hold the Lightning -- one of the NHL's top scoring teams this season -- scoreless in two games.
While Babcock praises DeKeyser for his play, DeKeyser said it's his teammates who have made him better with the puck.
"Here you've got guys covering up for you if you make mistakes. That helps your confidence and helps you to keep playing hard," he said.
Game 6 is 7 p.m. Monday (TV: CNBC).
Download: Hockey in the D app