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Red Wings hope to handle Maple Leafs like a ‘wounded bear’

Maple Leafs Red Wings Hockey

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) is piled on by Morgan Rielly (44) and Toronto Nazem Kadri (43) after scoring against the Detroit Red Wings in the third period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Tuesday, March 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

AP

With seven losses in a row and little rest following Friday’s defeat, the Toronto Maple Leafs may look like easy pickings to some. Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith seems like he’s bringing a healthy amount of fear into Saturday’s big game, though.

“Extremely dangerous,” Smith told the Detroit Free Press. “It’s like that wounded bear that you can’t put down for the last little bit, and they have a lot of extra power. You’ve got to make sure that you come out hard, because right now, it’s kind of do-or-die for them. It’s going to be a very difficult game.”

(David Booth is nodding his head intensely at that analogy.)

Smith described the atmosphere around the Maple Leafs as “ruthless” and seems excited about the challenge that the Red Wings are about to face.

Click here to read more about how the Leafs view this contest as the biggest game of their season.

The Red Wings begin a three-game homestand against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, so this is a big weekend for them, as well.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins