Weekly Preview: March 18-24th, 2012

Weekly Preview: March 18-24th, 2012

Detroit is on a little bit of a slide. They have lost 4 straight and are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. In their last two weeks they have gone 1-5-1. It looks as if St. Louis is running away with the Western Conference so if Detroit wants to hold on to the 4th spot in the West to get home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs they need to really start winning some games.

Game 1: Washington Capitals @ Home

Washington is in "must win" mode to hold on to the 8th and final playoff spot, however luckily for Detroit, Washington themselves have been on a bit of a slide and come into the Joe Louis arena for game 4 of a 5 game road trip. With Pavel Datsyuk back hopefully he will hit full stride and give the Wings a win in this game.

Game 2: @ New York Rangers

Both of these teams are on similar slides. Detroit 3-6-1 in their last ten, New York 4-5-1 in their last 10. Both teams can chalk their recent woes up to a great deal of injury woes. Due to injuries Ty Conklin will get the start for Detroit. Detroit has been absolutely awful on the Power Play as of late going 1 for 32 in the month of March and will certainly need to pick it up if want to return to their earlier dominance of the Western Conference. 

Game 3: Carolina Hurricanes @ Home

Nicklas Lidstrom is expected to return to Detroit's lineup for this game and hopefully he can return the Wings to their winning ways. Carolina currently sits at the 11th place in the Eastern Conference and looks as if they will stay there as the season ends. They have been on a 3 game win streak and will have suspended forward Jeff Skinner returning for this game. Hopefully Detroit can use this game to snap out of their losing streak and return to their dominating form. 

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Lot's of injuries for thing Wings but they should get Lidstrom back on Saturday. Hopefully they can end their losing ways this week and work out some kinks as they head into playoff mode.