Blue Jackets at Red Wings
THE STORY: The Detroit Red Wings are starting to
get healthier in the locker room - and they hope that will remedy their
issues in the standings as well. Coach Mike Babcock's club has fallen
into fifth place in the Western Conference, one point behind Central
Division rival Nashville. The Red Wings will look to move back into
fourth Monday when they host the opener of a home-and-home series versus
the Columbus Blue Jackets.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Blue Jackets), FS Detroit (Red Wings)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (24-44-7): The season can not end fast enough
for Columbus, which fell for the sixth time in eight games with
Saturday's 6-3 loss to Edmonton. Mark Letestu tallied for the second
straight contest and captain Rick Nash converted a penalty shot. The
Nationwide Arena faithful constantly voiced its displeasure with the
Blue Jackets' effort against the league's second-worst team. The crowd
did let out a cheer in the third period - although it was a derisive one
after backup Allen York made a save.
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (45-25-5):
After missing a career-high 11 games with a deep bone bruise in his
right ankle, captain Nicklas Lidstrom returned to the ice for Saturday's
5-4 victory over Carolina. The seven-time Norris Trophy winner admitted
he wasn't himself, but still managed an assist as Detroit snapped a
six-game winless streak (0-4-2). Henrik Zetterberg tallied twice in the
victory and has eight goals and as many assists in his past 13 games.
The 31-year-old Swede scored a goal and set up another in a 5-2 win over
Columbus on Feb. 28.
OVERTIME:
1. Nash is one point shy of reaching 50 for the
eighth consecutive season. He has recorded 44 points in 53 career
contests versus the Red Wings.
2. The teams will travel to the Buckeye State to finish their season series Wednesday.