[Game Thread] Wings vs. Coyotes

The Detroit Red Wings (43-15-8) host their second game in a three-game homestand tonight. Their opponent is the Phoenix Coyotes (28-33-5), who have struggled lately. The Coyotes are 1-5-0 in the last six games and have dropped 14 of their last 18 games. A win tonight would move Detroit to the top of the Western Conference standings, which is an amazing thought considering they have allowed 16 goals in the last two Saturday games.

Tomas Holmstrom is expected to play after missing 18 games as a result of a hernia surgery. His presence in the lineup will certainly be welcomed as the Wings try to bounce back from an ugly 8-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Marian Hossa will not play tonight. He did practice on Monday and is aiming to return on Thursday.

Jiri Hudler missed practice on Monday due to illness and it is unknown if he will play tonight or not. If he does not, I would expect him to play on Thursday.

Andreas Lilja has been placed on the long-term injured reserved. As the Wings are right up against the cap with Homer's return, Jonathan Ericsson is only able to stay in Detroit because Lilja is now on the IR list, which means he will have to miss seven more games at minimum.

For a look at the game from the opposition, please check out our SBN counterpart Five for Howling.

The game begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be shown on FSDetroit. Please feel free to leave comments during the game -- hopefully we'll have much more positive things to talk about tonight. Go Wings!