Weekly Preview: March 25-31st, 2012

Weekly Preview: March 25-31st, 2012

I am writing this a bit late and it is currently at the end of the 2nd period in the first Detroit-Columbus game, with Detroit up 6-0. That being said this is a huge week for Detroit if they want to cling on to that 4th place spot in the West and possibly climb back into first place. Two games against the horrible Blue Jackets and a big game on Friday against the Nashville Predators.

Game 1: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Home (Loss: 5-3)

I'm writing this column while the game is still on, but currently Detroit leads 6-0. If I wrote this column on time I would have predicted a similar outcome as Detroit has received much of its big guns back from injury and rookie stand-out Gustav Nyquist has been firing on all cylinders, certainly putting pressure on all of the top 6 forwards. 

Game 2: @ Columbus Blue Jackets

Since I am going to assume Detroit won't let up in the 3rd period of the game and will continue to pummel the Blue Jackets in Monday's game, I will say that Detroit will have a renewed sense of vigour as they travel to Columbus. Now having the taste of 2 straight wins and a much healthier lineup the Red Wings should eat up the Blue Jackets as they did on Monday night. 

Game 3: Nashville Predators @ Home

This is one of the most important games in a long time for the Red Wings. This will likely be a preview of the first round of the playoffs (providing St. Louis doesn't have a collapse) and with all of the recent Alexander Radulov hoop-la this game will certainly have the playoff atmosphere. All-Star net-minder Jimmy Howard is anticipated to make his return, which will mean Detroit will pretty much have all of their A-List cast in this contest. Nashville also has a very tough week this week facing St. Louis, Detroit, and Chicago. Despite their dismantling of Chicago on Sunday facing all the big guns of the Central Division could wear out the Predators down the stretch. Anything can happen in this game, and it is definitely a must watch game.

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Two, hopefully, easy games against Columbus to ease out the kinks and give time for Jimmy Howard to heal up before the all too important game against the Preds on Friday. Look for this game to be an all out war.