Weekly Preview: March 4th-10th, 2012

Weekly Preview: March 4th-10th, 2012

Detroit played really well last week, especially without Niklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk though the competition they faced pales in comparison to the teams they face this week. The week kicks off with a home contest against Divisional Rivals the Chicago Blackhawks, then the Wings head on the road to face Philadelphia. They then head back to Detroit to face the reinvigorated LA Kings, and then head to Nashville to face their new bolstered lineup thanks to some trade deadline acquisitions.

Game 1: Chicago @ Home

Luckily for the Wings, Chicago is also having some injury woes and won't have Jonathan Toews, Steve Montador, or Niklas Hjalmarsson. Chicago kicked off Detroit's 3 game losing skid last week so Detroit should be looking to make a statement in this game. Coming off of a shut-out against Minnesota, Jimmy Howard is expected to get the start in this game. If he can once again have a stellar performance that would be key to dealing with the absence of Datsyuk's excellent 2 way play, and Lidstrom on defence.

Game 2: @Philadelphia

Detroit walks in to this game knowing that a win could be the difference between first or fourth place in the Western Conference. However, Lidstrom and Datsyuk are still injured and now Jimmy Howard is injured after only 4 shots against the Black Hawks on Sunday, and Todd Bertuzzi who has been day-to-day with a nagging groin injury. The Wings will be calling up 3 AHL prospects to fill in for their injured teammates. Valtteri Filppula has stepped up to the plate for the battered Wings and has had recorded 7 points in the last 4 games. Philly's Ilya Bryzgalov has been hot as of late so Detroit will need to muster up all the offence they can and Jimmy Howard will need to step up if Detroit wants to win this one.

Game 3: Los Angeles @ Home

LA is hungry and desperately fitting for that 8th spot in the Western Conference. They have won 2 straight and have a pivotal game against the Nashville Predators before facing the Wings. Jeff Carter was reunited with former Flyer friend Mike Richards just before the Trade Deadline in exchange for Defenceman Jack Johnson. LA has had trouble scoring but thanks to some stellar goaltending from both Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier has held other teams at bay. If Detroit is still missing some of their top offensive talent they will need a strong effort from their secondary scoring to win this one.

Game 4: @Nashville

Nashville was one of the busiest movers at the Trade Deadline landing Hal Gill, Andrei Kostitsyn and Paul Gaustad at the deadline. The acquisition of Gaustad is the most stinging for Wings fans as he was linked to the Red Wings leading up to the deadline. Hal Gill provides some solid depth on the Predators blue-line, Andrei is reunited with his brother Sergei, and Gaustad provides the grit that the Predators seemed to lack. Pekka Rinne has been playing outstanding as of late and just like in the Wings' game against LA they will need strong scoring if they want to get a win against this offensively starved team.