Blackhawks at Red Wings
THE STORY: The Chicago Blackhawks have made themselves at home at Joe Louis Arena by defeating the host Detroit Red Wings on five consecutive occasions. Not a bad string, but one that is dwarfed by the recent run of the home tenants. The Red Wings will look to match a team record with their 14th straight triumph at home on Saturday afternoon when they host the Central Division rival Blackhawks. "We weren’t special at home last year but we are this year,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “We seem to be real comfortable here." The last time the Red Wings were this "comfortable" was 1965, when they won 14 in a row at home. Back to the present, Babcock claimed his 400th coaching victory and All-Star G Jimmy Howard secured his 100th career triumph during Thursday's 3-2 shootout win over the Phoenix Coyotes. For its part, Chicago won its second straight following a four-game slide to start January as C Dave Bolland collected two goals and an assist in a 5-2 win over the woeful Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. The Blackhawks hold a slim one-point advantage over the St. Louis Blues, with the Red Wings sitting two points behind in the Central Division.
TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC, TSN2
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (26-13-5): Bolland has been on a roll, recording four goals and two assists during his modest three-game point streak. His production is certainly welcomed in light of the absence of stud RW Patrick Sharp, who is sidelined for three-to-four weeks with an upper body injury. Sharp suffered that injury in the teams' last tangle on Sunday. "When a guy (like Sharp) goes down, you know there's extra roles that come upon you and we have guys that have taken over those roles and are doing it right now," Bolland said. Conversely, Stanley Cup hero Patrick Kane has mustered just two goals in his last 15 games.
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (27-15-1): Captain Nicklas Lidstrom has been a staple at the NHL's All-Star Game during his decorated career. This year, however, the seven-time Norris Trophy winner will receive some time off during the midseason gala to rest his 41-year-old body - and he's just fine with that. Last week when discussing the possibility of playing in the All-Star Game, Lidstrom said, "It would be nice to get the weekend off, kind of re-energize and get back at it after the break."
OVERTIME:
1. Blackhawks agitator Daniel Carcillo will miss the remainder of the season and will undergo ACL surgery.
2. Babcock will coach in his 700th career game on Saturday.
PREDICTION: Red Wings 4, Blackhawks 3.