DETROIT - One of several knocks against the Detroit Red Wings defense is its lack of abrasiveness, that it's too soft.
Niklas Kronwall isn't the big hitter he was in the past due to age and injuries. Big Jonathan Ericsson is not physical. Brendan Smith was traded at the deadline.
Danny DeKeyser, Mike Green and Nick Jensen are good skaters but don't hit.
Xavier Ouellet might be the only one of the group who can provide a sandpaper-like presence.
Red Wings' Xavier Ouellet talks about his improvement this season
"I like the intensity, the emotion in the game," Ouellet said.