It's going to be a Grand night

Photo by John Kosak

THE GAME

Toronto Marlies (16-12-0-4) @ Grand Rapids Griffins (13-14-1-4)

Yup, you read that correctly.  This isn't a preview of the Red Wings' game.  It's a Griffins' preview.  Why you might ask?  Well, I'll tell you why.  I'm home in Michigan and I'm making the trip to the west side of the state to see the namesake himself (and his teammates of course).  The Griffins find themselves in last place of the North Division.  They take on a Marlies team that is in second place in the division, but only five points ahead.  The Griffs would surely like to make up some ground in the standings before Christmas. 

THE EXPECTED LINE-UP BASED ON LAST GAME'S LINES (thanks to Griffinscentral.com)

Tomas Tatar -- Ilari 'Larry' Filppula -- Jan Mursak

Jamie Tardif -- Jamie Johnson -- Frances Pare
Jordan Owens -- Joakim Andersson -- Chris Minard
Pare/Minard -- Brent Raedeke -- Brandon Straub

Brendan Smith -- Derek Meech
Doug Janik/Greg Amadio -- Jakub Kindl
Sergei Kolosov -- Logan Pyett

Joey McDonald
Thomas McCollum
(Who know's who is starting tonight)

In the press box: Brian Lashoff, Willie Coatzee

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• Everything.  I'm jacked up to go to my first Griffins' game.
• Hopefully friend of TP:60 Ilari Filppula and Tomas Tatar can keep up their friendly scoring race against each other.
• I have no idea at the moment which goalie is starting, but I'd personally like to see McCollum in net
• This is schedule to be the last game of Jakub Kindl's conditioning stint in Grand Rapids.  Enjoy it, Jakub.  Sadly, he's probably headed back to the Leino Lounge when he gets to Detroit.
• Francis Pare needs just one more goal to become the 14th player to score 50 during his Griffins career.

BRENDAN SMITH

Of course, I can't forget the namesake.  I'm looking forward to watching him play for the first time in person.  Smith's 19 points (7g, 12a) tie him for 10th among AHL rookies and 11th among defensemen.  His seven goals tie for third among all blueliners (credit: Griffinshockey.com for the stats).  Brendan, if you're reading this or someone you know is reading this, score a goal tonight while I'm in attendance!

MLive.com posted a video recently in their "Getting to know the Griffins" series.  Their latest interview?  Brendan Smith.  Check it out.

Let's Go Griffins.