Brendan Smith Says Red Wings Won’t Be Pushed Around

Smith came to Henrik Zetterberg’s aid Tuesday when the Buffalo Sabres’ Evander Kane tried to initiate a fight with the Detroit captain. The Red Wings ended up shorthanded and Buffalo scored on the power play. But coach Jeff Blashill said he would want Smith to do that every time.

Smith feels the same way.

“I don’t want to see one of our best players get hurt,” Smith said. “And it’s not even if Kane would hurt him. Z could hurt himself in a play like that.

“You just do it. It’s kind of ingrained in myself and I think a lot of players. I was shocked that I got a penalty. I didn’t throw a punch or anything, I just kind of got in there. It was a crucial call because they ended up scoring and changed the momentum.”