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JUDGMENT DAY: Predators vs. Wings; Sirius/XM NHL Home Ice at 1:05 ET

April 25, 2013, 11:36 AM ET [37 Comments]
Mark Spizzirri
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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A rock-solid 3-1 victory on Wednesday night for the Detroit Red Wings allowed them to springboard past the idle Columbus Blue Jackets and take sole position of 8th place in the NHL's Western Conference. With all teams remaining in the playoff hunt left with 2 games to play, the Red Wings continue to "control their destiny" in the hopes of extending their consecutive playoff streak to 22 seasons.

The Western Conference playoff chase as of this morning:
(the first tiebreaker of regulation/overtime wins in parentheses)

7. Minnesota 53 (ROW 21)
8. Detroit 52 (ROW 20)
9. Columbus 51 (ROW 17)
10. Dallas 48 (ROW 20)


The Wings get right back at things this evening with a chance to clinch a playoff spot at the Joe Louis Arena as they host the Nashville Predators (7:30 PM ET, Fox Sports-Detroit). A Detroit victory tonight combined by a Columbus loss (in regulation or overtime/shootout) against the Dallas Stars would punch Detroit's ticket to the postseason tonight.

Wednesday night's victory over the Kings continued to emphasize Detroit's strengths. They once again outshot their opponent (36-24), they once again capitalized on the power-play (1-for-4) and for the 9th time in 11 games, the Red Wings held their opponent to 2 goals or less in regulation and overtime play.

For all of the harassment received by Mike Babcock for keeping Justin Abdelkader on the top line, full credit goes to Abdelkader for creating the first Red Wing goal. His forecheck and hit on Drew Doughty behind the Los Angeles goal created a turnover which led to Pavel Datsyuk's marker to tie the game at one goal apiece during the middle frame.

Although many Wing fans believe Abdelkader is nothing more than a 3rd line forward, it's quite obvious Babcock believes "Abs" is capable of playing a Tomas Holmstrom like role alongside Pavel Datsyuk. Plays like the one he made last night on the team's first goal only reinforces Babcock's resolve to keep #8 on the top line.

The bottom six forwards for Detroit put their stamp on the game early in the 3rd period. The fourth line of Eaves, Emmerton and Tootoo provided the game winner on yet another successful forecheck. Jordin Tootoo deflected home a Patrick Eaves wristshot past Jonathan Quick after initiating the forecheck in the Kings defensive zone and creating a turnover.

Meanwhile, Gustav Nyquist continues to grow with confidence on the team's third line, as he created numerous chances and had five shots on goal for the Wings last night. Babcock has been hesitant to alter this third line ever since adding Damien Brunner to join Nyquist and Andersson. However, Nyquist's growing confidence offensively may warrant a move to play alongside Datsyuk or Zetterberg in the hopes of possibly aiding Detroit's continuous struggle to score goals.

Nevertheless, the victory last night may have possibly come at a substantial cost. Johan Franzen, who scored his 6th goal in six games for the Red Wings on the power-play last night, was not available during the final five minutes of the third period with an undisclosed injury. His status for tonight's game remains unknown and now would be the absolute worst time Detroit could stomach losing their top goal-scoring winger. He will likely take the pre-game skate to make a final determination, however Franzen has indicated he is confident he will be able to play.

It appears Todd Bertuzzi will only make his return to the lineup tonight if Franzen is unable to go. In what should not come as a surprising development, it is apparent that Babcock is skeptical at Bertuzzi's ability to jump right into the fray in what essentially are playoff-like contests, after having missed NHL game action since February 7th.

As for tonight's lineup, no changes once again will be made to the lineup that was victorious on Wednesday night vs. Los Angeles. If Franzen is unable to play tonight, Bertuzzi will come into the lineup, although it is uncertain as to whether he would be inserted directly in Franzen's spot on the top line or if Babcock juggles the lines to accomodate his return. Gustav Nyquist or Damien Brunner could get bumped up to the top line in place of an injured Franzen.

Franzen (Bertuzzi) - Datsyuk - Abdelkader
Filppula - Zetterberg - Cleary
Nyquist - Andersson - Brunner
Eaves - Emmerton - Tootoo

Kronwall - Ericsson
Quincey - Smith
DeKeyser - Kindl

Howard
(Gustavsson)

Scratches: Colaiacovo, Lashoff, White

************************************************************************

Join me this afternoon at 1:05 PM ET when I hook up with Jim "Boomer" Gordon of Sirius/XM NHL Home Ice to discuss the Red Wings chase for a playoff spot.

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