Red Wings at Blue Jackets
THE STORY: The Detroit Red Wings go for a sweep of the home-and-home series when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday. Detroit, which posted a 7-2 home victory over Columbus on Monday, has lost six straight on the road. One of three Western Conference teams with a playoff spot clinched, the Red Wings are one point ahead of Nashville for fourth place. Columbus has lost seven of nine overall and three of four at home.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (46-25-5): With captain Nicklas Lidstrom and Jakub Kindl already back in the lineup, Detroit's defense corps is expected to get even stronger Wednesday as Jonathan Ericsson is likely to return. Ericsson has not played since Feb. 25 due to a left wrist injury. Johan Franzen, who leads the team with 26 goals, also is expected to play after missing five games with back spasms. Jiri Hudler scored his 23rd goal Monday, tying his career high set in 2008-09.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (24-45-7): Derick Brassard posted a minus-4 rating in Monday's loss, bringing his season total to minus-27. Only defenseman Milan Jurcina of the New York Islanders has a worse rating at minus-33. John Moore is tied for the fifth-worst rating of minus-24. Mark Letestu is riding a three-game goal-scoring streak and has recorded at least one point in eight of his last 11 contests. Letestu is three goals shy of matching his career high of 14 set last season with Pittsburgh.
OVERTIME:
1. Detroit has lost nine of 10 on the road but has won eight of 11 at Columbus.
2. The Blue Jackets have lost seven straight games played on a Wednesday.