Flyers at Red Wings
THE STORY: A share of an NHL record is on the line Sunday as the league-leading Detroit Red Wings go for their 20th consecutive home win when they host the Philadelphia Flyers, one of the co-owners of the league mark. Detroit, which is 2-0-0 on its six-game homestand, hasn't lost at Joe Louis Arena since dropping a 4-1 decision on Nov. 3 to Calgary. The Red Wings can match the record for most consecutive home wins shared by the 1929-30 Boston Bruins and 1975-76 Flyers.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN2
ABOUT THE FLYERS (31-17-7): Philadelphia is reeling a bit as it has lost four of its last five games. It has been outscored 16-8 in the four setbacks. Wayne Simmonds has recorded five goals in his last six contests. He became the second Flyer in as many games to register a “Gordie Howe” hat trick when he had a goal, an assist and a fight in Saturday's loss to the New York Rangers. All-Star Scott Hartnell also accomplished the feat in Thursday's triumph over Toronto.
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (37-17-2): Less than 24 hours after playing in his 1,000th career game, all with Detroit, Tomas Holmstrom received a gift from his teammates – a snowmobile. Holmstrom was presented with his gift during Saturday's practice as Henrik Zetterberg drove it onto the ice. “I grew up on snowmobiles, I enjoyed doing it,” Zetterberg told the Detroit News. “He (Holmstrom) enjoys the outdoors, so it was a pretty easy choice. We were just looking for the right moment.” All-Star Jimmy Howard faced shots Saturday for the first time since suffering a broken right index finger on Feb. 2 at Vancouver. Howard, who has missed four games, is hoping to return against Nashville on Friday.
OVERTIME:
1. Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom will gain sole possession of second place on the franchise list in games played. He currently is tied with Alex Delvecchio at 1,549 contests. The legendary Gordie Howe owns the club mark of 1,687 games.
2. The home team had won 14 straight in the all-time series before Philadelphia posted a victory in the most recent meeting on Jan. 2, 2011, at Joe Louis Arena.
3. Philadelphia has won two in a row and three of four against Detroit.