Red Wings at Wild
THE STORY: The Detroit Red Wings have seen their season take a U-turn in a seven-day period. One week ago, the Red Wings were riding high as they braced for a showdown with the Washington Capitals in a matchup of the league’s last two unbeaten teams. Detroit was promptly waylaid 7-1 and, like a boxer knocked to the canvas, has had trouble regaining its equilibrium. The Red Wings suffered a 4-1 defeat at previously winless Columbus on Tuesday and saw their losing streak reach three games with a 4-2 home defeat to nemesis San Jose on Friday. For those counting, that’s 15 goals surrendered by Detroit during the three-game skid after it had yielded only seven goals during its season-opening five-game winning streak. The Red Wings may get a reprieve when they visit the offensively challenged Minnesota Wild on Saturday night, a team they have beaten four straight times and six of seven.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSD, FSNO
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (5-3-0): Detroit played much better in Friday’s loss to San Jose. G Jimmy Howard, returning from a two-game absence after the birth of his son, was victimized by a breakaway late in the second period for the winning goal. Among the positives were Tomas Holmstrom scoring his first goal of the season and Henrik Zetterberg notching his first goal since the second game. Ageless D Nicklas Lidstrom had two assists, giving him five points in the last four games.
ABOUT THE WILD (3-3-3): Minnesota ranks last in the Western Conference with 20 goals scored. The Wild finally got some production from their power play in the loss to San Jose. Jared Spurgeon and Matt Cullen each scored with the man advantage, ending an 0-for-20 dry spell. The Wild also yielded a pair of power-play tallies and are 26th in the league, giving up eight goals in 31 chances. Seven of Minnesota’s last eight games have been decided by one goal.
OVERTIME:
1. Detroit has won its last three visits to Minnesota, allowing a combined four goals. The Red Wings are 22-6-2 in the last 30 meetings.
2. Former 50-goal scorer Dany Heatley has just two for the Wild while team captain Mikko Koivu is without a goal in nine games.