Three-day breaks between games are rare, which is why the Red Wings took advantage to mix things up.
Wednesday’s optional practice saw the forwards skate in one zone and the defensemen in the other, with some veterans opting for a longer off-ice workout under the guidance of strength and conditioning coach Mike Kadar. Coach Jeff Blashill used the evening to go to Grand Rapids to watch the Griffins. Assistant coach Tony Granato said everyone is available for Friday’s game against Vancouver, and there haven’t been discussions about calling up anyone in light of Monday’s 2-1 loss to Buffalo, which saw a 13-game point streak end.