Another big game for the wings. Would really like to see an easy win so they can get some of the players less ice time than usual. Although Franzen, Datsyuk, Bertuzzi could use the ice time to get them back into the flow after missing time recently.

Its almost a lock that the Wings will be playing Nashville in the first round but home ice is far from decided. The wings are sitting with 101 pts, Nashville has 100 and Chicago has 98. If Det gets a win in either of the last two its the 4 or 5 spot guaranteed. The only way Chicago can pass Det is to win out and have Det lose out (unless Det loses two in ot). Nashville sitting one point behind and has the tie breaker locked up if it comes to that with 41 ROW wins.(Det has 39).

Basically it would be better for the Wings just to win out and lock up the 4 seed. Nashville has Dallas who is struggling but fighting for their playoffs lives and Colorado left who is dusting off their golf clubs once again.(ha ha)

I dont know if Howard is starting tonight due to back to back games but if he does he needs to have another strong game to build confidence before the playoffs. If its Conklin in net god help us.

Go wings