The Wings were relatively quiet on deadline day but the move they did make could mean the difference between extending their post season streak to 23 years or ending the season early. Ken Holland traded Patrick Eaves, Calle Jarnkrok and a conditional third round draft pick in the 2014 draft for Detroit native David Legwand.
In 956 games with the Predators Legwand tallied 566 points (210 G, 356 A) but all point totals aside what the Wings will be gaining is a consistent, versatile, centerman to fill the void made by injuries to Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Darren Helm, and Stephen Weiss. On a team that only has two players that haven’t missed a game all season, a player that hasn’t missed a game since the 2011-2012 season is as valuable with a superstar with twice the goals.
Prior to tonights game against the Avalanche, the Red Wings will retire Nicklas Lidstrom’s number 5. Hopefully the ceremony will stoke a fire in the Wings and elevate them beat their former Conference rivals. The Avalanche are 7-3-0 in their last ten games and are one of the hottest teams in the league since Christmas. The Avs have a comfortable lead over the Minnesota Wild but with the Blackhawks and Blues in their sights, Colorado will be looking to secure themselves a favorable playoff position over the last 20 games of the season.
The Wings currently sit one point out of the playoffs with a big game against the devils to come tomorrow night. If the Wings should fail to earn a point tonight, the Devils would have the opportunity to leapfrog them in the standings. After tonight’s game the Red Wings take on three consecutive opponents who are two points or less apart in the standings. A win against the Avalanche won’t be easy but it would go a long way to take a little of the pressure off leading into the next three.
Johan Franzen has been on fire since his return, and was a dominant force against the Devils Tuesday night. Tonight, newcomer David Legwand will center Franzen and Gustav Nyquist. With the way Franzen has been playing, all Legwand will need to do to make a positive debut is dish to the Mule.
The Wings will need to get on the board quick. The Avs have a league second-best, .886 winning percentage when leading after the first, and are almost perfect when leading after two. To add a little perspective, the Red Wings are 24th and 29th respectively in those categories. If Colorado gets ahead, they stay ahead. Playing from behind will be a tall task and if the Wings can take an early lead, their chances of winning are much better.
PROJECTED LINES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
RED WINGS
Nyquist - Legwand - Franzen Tatar - Sheahan - Jurco Abdelkader - Andersson - Alfredsson Miller - Glendenning - Bertuzzi
Kronwall - Ericsson Quincey - DeKeyser Smith - Lashoff
Jimmy Howard Jonas Gustavsson
Injuries: Weiss, Kindl, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Helm, Cleary
AVALANCHE
Landeskog - Stastny - Mackinnon O’Reilly - Duchene - Parenteau Talbot - Mitchell - McGuinn McLeod - Cliche - Bordeleau
Hejda - Johnson Barrie - Guenin Holden - Benoit
J-S Giguere Semyon Varlamov
Injuries: Tanguay