Detroit Red Wings (13-3-2) @ Atlanta Thrashers (9-9-3)
The Wings head to Atlanta for their only game of the season against the Thrashers. We'll see a few familiar faces down in the ATL. Thanks to Chicago's cap mismanagement last year they banished many of their players to the Thrashawks. The Chicago cast-offs have played well. Andrew Ladd is now the team's captain and Dustin Bufflin Byfuglien is a full time defenseman and is only one point behind Lidstrom in defensemen scoring. Hopefully the Wings show up earlier in the tonight's game than they did against the Flames. It's Detroit's first game against the Leastern Conference. Go out and take care of business.
THE EXPECTED LINE-UP
Pavel Datsyuk - Henrik Zetterberg - Tomas Holmstrom
Justin Abdelkader - Valtteri Filppula - Johan Franzen
Todd Bertuzzi - Mike Modano - Danny Cleary
Drew Miller - Darren Helm - Patrick Eaves
Nicklas Lidstrom - Brad Stuart
Niklas Kronwall - Ruslan Salei
Johnathon Ericsson - Brian Rafalski
Jimmy Howard (starting)
Joey MacDonald
In the press box: Jiri Hudler (healthy scratch), Jakub Kindl (healthy scratch) and Chris Osgood (groin)
On LTIR: Kris Draper (groin)
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- Danny Cleary will play tonight. He left last game early with an undisclosed injury, but it turned out to be a precautionary measure. This is good news. Cleary finally got healthy this season and his high level of play showed that. It would be a shame to see him get hurt again.
- Hudler is a healthy scratch. Happy hasn't been playing so well. He had a few good games when the pressure was on, but it seems like since he scored that fluke goal from behind the net he has only been decent out there. As long as his spot in the Leino Lounge doesn't become permanent, I'm okay with this. He has to be held accountable due to the team's embarrassment of riches in the line-up. Miller and Eaves deserve the chance. They've played very well when they've been in. Look for a very good PK tonight.
- Absolutely love that Abby is playing with Filp and Mule. The Gator gets a chance to move up and play on a scoring line thanks to Miller and Eaves playing. When he's been asked to take a more offensive type roll, he's succeeded. I don't see why that would change. He'll score a goal tonight.
- Will Hank, Pav, Nick, and Raf all continue their high level of play? Raf was the NHL's third star of the week and the Euro Twins and TPH seem to keep on rolling. Lidstrom for Hart 2011.
THANKSGIVING
I've left my tiny apartment in Boston and I am currently in Bethlehem, PA spending Thanksgiving with my girlfriend's family. The good news? I'm going to eat very well the rest of this week. The bad news? No Center Ice and I'll probably be busy doing family stuff and won't get to watch the games (so there probably won't be a game recap tomorrow or Saturday). I hope all my readers, fellow bloggers, and Wings fans all over the world have a great Thanksgiving (even you Andy).
Let's Go Red Wings.
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