Red Wings Notebook: Fabbri Bouncing Back Strongly Again

Detroit Red Wings forward Robby Fabbri is once more coming back strongly from an injury-enforced absence. Then again, he’s well-versed at doing it.

Fabbri was scoring a goal in Detroit’s 5-4 win over Columbus on Saturday. It was his second game back following a month-long absence due to a lower-body injury. His tally this season is two goals in three games.

FIRST STAR FABS! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/kHK613yLn5

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 11, 2023

Four times during his NHL career he’s been required to rebound from knee surgery.

“Yeah, it’s not something I’m proud of, to say I’ve got the experience in that,” Fabbri said of coming back from injury. “It’s just a mental battle more than physical.

“I’ve done it a few times, so I kind of know where to keep my mind at and then that helps me get my body ready.”

Fabbri in front. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/L9tSDyaREm

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 11, 2023

Skating on the third line with Joe Veleno and Christian Fischer, Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde was appreciative of the performance his team got from that entire unit.

“That line was excellent,” Lalonde said. “All three just hunt the puck, get above it, creating turnovers, zone time.”

Red Wings Power Play Still Not Delivering

It was close at times, but there were still no cigars being handed out as far as the Detroit power-play unit was concerned. The Red Wings were 0-3 with the man advantage.

“I think we worked the puck well the first couple we had some opportunities,” Detroit defenseman Jeff Petry said. “Ghost (Shayne Gostisbehere) had one off a seam pass hit the goalie’s shoulder.

A unit that was clicking as the No. 2 power play in the NHL through the first six games of the season is operating as the 27th-best in the league ever since.

“We had an opportunity there to start the third period and we weren’t able to get into the zone,” Petry said. “That was a little frustrating.”