Red Wings at Blues
THE STORY: The Detroit Red Wings have provided quite a response to their first six-game losing streak since February 2008. The Wings are winners of four straight at home, outscoring opponents 18-4, to get back on track as they start a four-game road trip at the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. Wings’ goaltender Jimmy Howard has three shutouts – two in his last four outings -- and is among the league leaders in goals against average (1.66) and save percentage (.934). Blues’ backup Brian Elliott hasn’t made as many appearances, but he has comparable numbers -- 1.49 and .946. After his second shutout Saturday against Tampa Bay, coach Ken Hitchcock said Elliott would be rewarded with the next start.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS MW (St. Louis).
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (9-5-1): Johan Franzen has been on a roll of late. The Mule has five goals and four assists and a plus-8 in the last four games, and leads the team with nine goals and 16 points. Seven-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom continues to produce at age 41 with six goals, six assists and a plus-7. Valtteri Filppula, who leads the team with 10 assists and a plus-11, is also off to a strong start. Defenseman Ian White is out indefinitely after suffering a fractured cheekbone Saturday when he took a puck to the face to save a goal.
ABOUT THE BLUES (8-7-1): St. Louis allowed 29 shots in Hitchcock’s first game, 22 in the second and only 19 in a 3-0 victory over the Lightning. The Blues have been better in transition and have outscored opponents 5-0 at even strength in their 2-0-1 stretch. Defenseman Kris Russell, acquired from Columbus on Thursday, was inserted in the lineup against Tampa Bay and scored the winning goal. Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who also scored Saturday, shares the team lead in points (11) with forward T.J. Oshie.
OVERTIME:
1. St. Louis is in the bottom of the league in power play (10.0 percent) and penalty killing (75.9).
2. Detroit has allowed 25.9 shots per game, second in the league through Sunday.
3. The Wings won four of six games against St. Louis last season.