Detroit — The Red Wings returned to home ice Thursday after a long road trip and were welcomed at practice by forward Patrick Kane.
But whether Kane rejoins the Wings on the ice Friday against the New York Rangers at Little Caesars Arena (7 p.m., FDSN, 97.1) is unclear.
Kane hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury late in the Oct. 17 game against Tampa Bay. He’s only played five of the Wings’ first 14 games.
“We’ll see,” said Kane after Thursday’s practice about his availability. “I’m feeling pretty good. It was nice to get back into practice with the team today. Other than that, I feel pretty good and we’ll go from there.
“We’ll see how it is (Friday). I don’t think there’s any real decision on when I’m back or anything like that.”
Kane felt progress the last “four or five days,” he said, and was looking forward to rejoining his teammates.
“I was pretty confident I was going to be able to get through a practice and skate with the team,” Kane said. “But you never know until you get into it, so I’m happy I was able to do that and participate and go the whole way.”
This injury, said Kane, isn’t one that has been lingering, but simply has needed time to recover.
“Sometimes you need some time,” Kane said. “Maybe originally, especially after it happened, we didn’t think it was as bad, and maybe the next day after (it happened) it was kind of seeing where the symptoms were and where I was at. The team has played 14 games and I’ve only played five, so it’s never fun to miss that much.
“But I’m happy I’ve taken the time and seeing some progress now.”
Kane has five points (two goals, three assists) in his five games and is integral part of a line with Alex DeBrincat and Marco Kasper, and on the Wings’ power play.
“He’s Patrick Kane,” said coach Todd McLellan. “He’s very competitive. He handles the puck well and sees things. He has the ability to play fast or slow. He really finishes off that line well when they’re playing good.
“Cat (DeBrincat), on the trip, had some good looks and shots and produced offensively. There’s more in Marco Kasper. App (Mason Appleton) did a good job when he was up there. But he (Kane) finishes that line off and certainly the power play. He’s a guy that a lot of it runs through.”
McLellan was uncertain about Kane’s status for Friday.
“It looked good,” said McLellan of practice. “I made contact with him a couple of times about how he felt and he said he felt pretty good. But that decision will be made (Friday) when we get a little more information.”
Ice chips
Appleton didn’t practice Thursday but will be available for the game against the Rangers, McLellan said.
… The first game back after a lengthy road trip is often difficult for NHL teams. But McLellan doesn’t want to hear about that and doesn’t feel that’s a legitimate excuse. “We have to get engaged,” McLellan said. “We don’t plan on having a crappy game. There are no excuses. We’ve had time to rest all day (Wednesday). We had some cobwebs early in practice, but as it went won, we were a little better.”
… What did McLellan like best from the 3-2-0 road trip? “Our resiliency,” said McLellan, mentioning the Wings’ ability to rally and overcome bad breaks for wins. “It started at home, we’re down 4-0 (to St. Louis, Oct. 25) and we found a way to come back, and that’s where it all began.”
Rangers at Red Wings
▶ Faceoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit.
▶ TV / radio: FDSN / 97.1
▶ Notable: The Wings (9-5-0) return to home ice and begin a four-game homestand after a lengthy road trip. … This is the first meeting between the teams this season. … The Rangers (6-6-2) have won three of their last four. .. .G Igor Shesterkin (2.26 GAA, .915 SVS) is off to a fine start.
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan
