Red Wings Daily: Rasmussen Takes Goal Streak Into Columbus Game

Michael Rasmussen has scored in each of his last three games and boasts four goals in his last five games. Who does he think he is? Dylan Larkin?

Actually, he may think he’s Jordan Staal or at least playing like Jordan Staal.

The Detroit Red Wings asked Rasmussen, 22, to play a style similar to Carolina Hurricanes forward and he has worked at accomplishing that objective. Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff detailed Rasmussen’s growth in this recent story.

Rasmussen, with 12 goals, is actually outscoring Staal this season and is playing more than the Carolina veteran lately. Rasmussen has been given 17+ minutes in two of his last three games as a reward for his improved play. With the Red Wings riding their first two-game winning streak since February, Rasmussen could get that kind of playing time Saturday when the Red Wings play the Columbus Blue Jackets at Little Caesars Arena.

It not’s Staal’s scoring that the Red Wings want Rasmussen to replicate as much as it his all-around game. They want Rasmussen to be one of NHL’s best No. 3 center — blending strong defense, physical play and scoring. They want him to be able to slide up and down the lines like Staal has done his career. Staal is equally comfortable playing first line or third line. Coach Jeff Blashill has given Rasmussen first line time. They see him being a net-front presence on the power play.

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