Morning Skate: Predators at Red Wings Preview

7:30p ET, Joe Louis Arena

Detroit, MI

TV: Fox Sports Detroit Plus

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket

Predators Blog: On The Forecheck

The Wings haven’t won blah blah blah blah blah, regulation blah blah blah blah, shootout blah blah blah blah, losing blah blah blah blah. I think that about covers it. Writing these is a lot more fun when we’re winning games. I’m tired of not winning, I’m tired of everyone being so frustrated that they lash out on each other, I’m tired of losing. I just want to win. But if you’re not already depressed enough, someone (Jeff) has confirmed from inside sources that the Red Wings do in fact hold a new NHL record… for most consecutive OT/SO losses (5) since 2005 when the SO was introduced. Look at us, setting more NHL records.

Luke Glendening was sent back to Grand Rapids, Daniel Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss are still still out with sore groins (bring in the Lucky Charms, STAT!), and Brendan Smith will make his return to the lineup tonight. The Wings expect to go with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen. Danny DeKeyser left practice with the flu yesterday and we’re waiting to find out if he’ll be able to play tonight or not.

The Wings haven’t won a game since Brendan Smith has been out of the lineup, so when we win tonight, everyone has to stop ragging on him, right? Ahahahahah.. Just kidding. Although, the Wings did do some shootout practice yesterday, so maybe the next time we’re in a shootout, Smith can shoot and actually score a f’ing goal. I don’t know.

The Expected Lineup

Forwards

Defensemen

Goaltenders

Injuries: Stephen Weiss (groin), Daniel Alfredsson (groin)

Opponent Outlook

Player to Fear: Shea Weber because he’ll get angry that he’s not getting his way, and then smash your head into the glass… repeatedly. It’s ok though, because he has plenty of money for all those pesky little fines.

X-Factor: Might as well go with the goalie. The Preds aren’t exactly lighting mups this season, and with Pekka Rinne out with an E coli infection in his hip, it would seem that the Wings should have an easier time beating the Preds, right? But because we’re such a generous, kind, giving team, we’ll probably make whatever goalie they start, look like a stud.

Familiar Faces: Shea Weber’s face is pretty familiar, you know, from that time he decided to repeatedly smash Zetterberg’s head into the glass.

Thumbs up (One Thing to Like About Nashville): When I was in Nashville, there was a friendly little squirrel who came and sat beside me to visit. So, uh… the squirrels are friendly. On second thought, I may need to get back to you on this one.

Thumbs down (One Thing to Dislike About Nashville): Who picks piss yellow as their jersey color, and then also paints their ice piss yellow?

Bullets of Knowledge

• The Red Wings are 49-24-4-8 (W-L-T-OTL) all-time against the Predators.

• Last 10 games: Predators 4-5-1. Detroit 3-1-6./

• The Wings are currently 1-0-1 on Tuesdays./

• Todd Bertuzzi has 40 points (14G 26A) in 50 career games against the Preds. Pavel Datsyuk has 68 points (20G 48A) in 61 career games against he Preds. Henrik Zetterberg has 47 points  (17G 30A) in 56 career games against the Preds./

• Howard is 9-5-1 with a 2.18 GAA, .923 SV% with 3 shutouts in 17 career starts against the predators./

Prediction: Zetterberg nets the game winner, because fuck Shea Weber.