DETROIT – No one would have been surprised if Robby Fabbri had had a slow start to the campaign. After all, he was returning to the game in the middle of the season after undergoing his third anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery, and he found himself on a bench led by a new coaching staff.
But since his debut, the 26-year-old striker has scored three goals in four games, giving Detroit some much-needed offensive reinforcements.
The Red Wings have defeated two top-10 NHL teams in their last two outings – a 7-5 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday and a 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday — ahead of their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; BSDET, BSOH, ESPN+, SN NOW).
“I’m concentrating on getting my game back, getting my legs back and everything else, and as the goals followed, I’m not going to complain about it,” Fabbri said. But what is best is to have marked them in victories. »
Fabbri had to roll up his sleeves several times.
He was 21 and in just his second NHL season with the St. Louis Blues when he tore the ACL in his left knee on Feb. 4, 2017. He underwent surgery and he missed the rest of the season. Then he injured the same knee again at the start of the 2017-18 season, which forced him to have surgery and miss the entire season.
He didn’t return to the Blues uniform until November 1, 2018, and he was limited to three goals in the 42 season and playoff games that followed. He was not in the training when St. Louis won the Stanley Cup in the spring of 2019.
After scoring just one goal in nine games at the start of the following campaign, he was traded to Detroit for forward Jacob de la Rose.
It didn’t take long for him to start finding the back of the net again. He scored 14 goals in 52 games in 2019-20, then 10 in 30 games in 2020-21. Finally, last year, he scored 17 in 56 games and was on a three-goal, three-game streak when the ACL in his right knee failed. He had to go under the knife again.
On social media, Fabbri posted a video recounting his journey to get back in shape, where he could be seen in his hospital bed, then on a walker, and finally in the gym.
“I’ve always believed in myself, and I want to be the best at what I do,” Fabbri said in the video. This flame within me has only burnt brighter due to these injuries. There is no doubt in my mind that I will return to the level I was, and even better. I have taken the challenge in the past and will do it again. »
Fabbri was shut out and finished with a minus-2 differential in his first outing of the season, a 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 4. But he was not afraid to use his physique, on the contrary. In his post-match comments, the captain Dylan Larkin made sure to highlight Fabbri’s return to the game.
“It’s pretty amazing,” he said. All the guys were really happy for him. »
The next day, Fabbri pointed out that he unfortunately had experience recovering from ACL surgery, and that he had learned how to train to be as prepared as possible. After a few presences, the adrenaline took over and the legs responded well.
“Regardless of the rehabilitation process, it takes time,” he said. It was Groundhog Day. The same thing the same day. But as you get closer to your return, your days start to look different, and you start getting ready to play.
“That’s when you step into your world and really look forward to it, especially when you think back to all you had to go through to make this comeback. »
Video: TOR@DET: Fabbri completes exchange in AN
Fabbri’s offensive contribution made the difference on Tuesday as the shot he deflected in front of the net proved to be the winning goal. Then on Thursday, he scored the game-winning goal again, this time on a one-timer from the slot on the power play.
Detroit is currently ranked 20th in the NHL in goals per game average (3.10). The Red Wings (18-15-7) are trying to make the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons, sitting fourth in the Atlantic Division and five points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins, last team currently qualified in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
“He was a bit of a forgotten player because he was injured and we weren’t expecting him until the new year,” said head coach Derek Lalonde. But I can tell you that the coaching staff couldn’t wait to see him again. He brought energy and competitiveness. He adds depth to all of our lines, and he’s done his part. He already has three goals since returning to a team that couldn’t be opportunistic. »
Lalonde, who is behind the bench in Detroit for a first season, had been told by general manager Steve Yzerman that he was going to like Fabbri.
“It’s exactly as it was described to me,” said Lalonde. I hope he can maintain this pace and be consistent. »