GAME DAY
First off, I just wanted to thank Mark Spizzirri for welcoming me to the Red Wings Hockey Buzz community, you’ve left some big shoes to fill! Good luck in your future endeavors!
After losing their sixth straight game (their fifth in OT or a shootout) to the New York Islanders the Red Wings (9-5-7) return to the Joe to try and right the ship against the Predators (9-9-2). Tonight’s game is the first meeting between the former division rivals and both teams are looking for two points to correct some respective struggles over the last 10 games.
Game time is 7:30 p.m. eastern. Tonight is Chris Chelios Hall of Fame night, hopefully the pre-game ceremony will inspire the Wings to play a solid 60 minutes.
After tonight's game, the Red Wings will remain at home to take on Carolina on Thursday and the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
RED WINGS OUTLOOK
The Red Wings have had two days off since their trip to the Isle and are looking to snap out of a six game losing skid in which they did manage to earn five of a possible 12 points.
The Wings have started to receive some much needed secondary scoring over the past few games. If they can maintain that with the superstars contributing as well, Nashville will have their hands full.
The powerplay that struggled to start the year is clicking right now. The Wings have capitalized on the man advantage five times in the last three games and are ranked the 7th best powerplay in the league (21.5%). The Predators are 20th in the NHL in penalty kill percentage (81.7%) and have allowed 13 powerplay goals.
With injuries still sidelining Daniel Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss, the Wings will go with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen tonight. Expect Darren Helm, Johan Franzen and Tomas Tatar to rotate through the lineup.
PREDATORS PREVIEW
The Predators are coming off a commanding 7-2 victory on Saturday night over last year’s Stanley Cup champions, but otherwise have been struggling as of late.
Craig Smith led the Preds past the Blackhawks with three points (1G, 2A) and rookie goalie Marek Mazanec stopped 39 of 41 shots for his first career win.
The Predators are 4-5-1 over their last 10 games, and are 4-7-1 on the road. They are in the basement of the competitive Central Division and need a win to keep an attempt at climbing their way up the standings a possibility.
PROJECTED LINE COMBINATIONS
RED WINGS
Zetterberg – Datsyuk – Bertuzzi Franzen – Helm – Tatar Cleary – Andersson – Samuelsson Miller – Abdelkader – _______________
Kronwall – Ericsson Quincey – DeKeyser Lashoff – Kindl Smith
Jimmy Howard
Injuries: Alfredsson (groin), Weiss (groin)
PREDATORS
Wilson – Fisher – Hornqvist Bourque – Legwand – Stalberg Spaling – Cullen – Smith Clune – Gaustad - Hendricks
Josi – Weber Jones – Klein Bartley – Ellis
Mazanec / Hutton
Injuries: Rinne (hip), Nystrom (upper body)