On the Wings

Tonight is the first of 4 games between these two teams this season. The Wings have lost 3 in a row and the Oilers have lost 3 of their last 4. The Oilers are a quick, young team even without Todd Marchant, who they lost to free agency this summer, and the Wings will have to play a very tight game defensively if they want to win. The Wings have owned Tommy Salo in the past and hopefully they’ll continue on that strain tonight. I see this as a must win game because the Wings’ season is going in a downward spiral fast. Hasek is questionable for tonight so I expect Joseph to start. The only notable Oilers scratch is the monster Georges Laraque, a power forward of considerable size and decent quality.