Red Wings at Senators
The Detroit Red Wings have tumbled to the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings and hope getting away from home will reverse their fortunes when they kick off a seven-game road trip with a visit to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night. The Red Wings earned their first win of the season with a 5-1 rout of Ottawa on Oct. 17 in their only meeting thus far.
The Red Wings won their first four home games this season, but their lack of success at Joe Louis Arena -- three wins in the past 16 contests (3-10-3) -- has led to their spiral in the standings. Detroit also needs to stop playing uphill, having allowed the opening goal in 10 consecutive contests. The Senators, meanwhile, appeared on course for their fifth consecutive victory before surrendering the final three goals in a 4-3 loss at the New York Rangers on Tuesday. Goaltender Craig Anderson is away from the team to be with his wife as she battles cancer and is not expected back before the All-Star break, Ottawa coach Guy Boucher said Wednesday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, RDSI, TSN5 (Ottawa)
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (15-16-4): Thomas Vanek scored a third-period power-play goal Tuesday that snapped a string of 27 consecutive missed chances with the man advantage, but coach Jeff Blashill is more concerned with the team's play at the other end of the ice. Tuesday's setback marked the fifth time in six games that Detroit has surrendered four goals. "In the end, we just got to find ways to stop more pucks, whoever's in net," Blashill said. "We can't give up four goals and expect to win lots of games in this league."
ABOUT THE SENATORS (20-12-3): Forward Zack Smith scored a goal before suffering an abdominal strain Tuesday that is expected to sideline him for at least two games. While Casey Bailey was promoted from the minors to take Smith's place on the roster, Tom Pyatt will replace him on a line with Derick Brassard and Mark Stone. "Trying to keep the same identity on that line without taking away too much of the depth on (Jean-Gabriel) Pageau's line," Boucher said before adding: "We'll see how that goes after five minutes."
OVERTIME
1. Red Wings G Jared Coreau is expected to make his third career start Thursday.
2. Senators captain Erik Karlsson has 16 points in 16 games against the Red Wings.
3. Detroit has allowed four power-play tallies in the past three games.