Fresh off a powerful performance against the hot Washington Capitals last night, the Red Wings head to Columbus trying to deliver what very well be could be the final death knell for the Blue Jackets’ playoff chances. Columbus has faltered this year and, unless they can make up seven points in their final 13 games, will find themselves on the outside looking in again. Steve Mason goes in net for the Jackets, but despite that this season could best be written off as a “Junior-year slump” for him, he’s played well recently. Combine that with the Wings being on the 2nd night of a back-to-back and the fact that Rick Nash hasn’t scored in nine straight games and I can safely say that focus is going to be very important for the Wings to pull out a victory.
In Detroit lineup news, Ruslan Salei remains out of the lineup as he’s spending time back in California with his wife and new daughter, Ava Ruslanovna. Patrick Eaves re-joins the Red Wings’ lineup, as he’ll take the place of the Jiri Hudler, who has some sort of sickness that I can neither confirm nor deny came from any of the H2H2 crowd gathered in Detroit last Friday. Also, as you saw in the pretty box at the top, Joey MacDonald gets the start.
This is a “should win” for Detroit, but not a “must win”. Columbus will be fighting hard to keep their playoff hopes alive though. Comment away and let’s go Red Wings!
