On the Wings

Update (4:18 PM): Ansar Khan confirms that Dominik Hasek will start tonight. He will also be in net for the final game of the season, which is Saturday in Detroit. Chris Osgood will get the nod Thursday in Chicago.

Also, the Columbus Dispatch confirms Fredrik Norrena will be the starter for Columbus. (via. Left Wing Lock) - Matt

Update (1:45 PM): Ted Kulfan reports that Mathieu Schneider will not in fact play tonight, as the team is handling his right elbow injury with the utmost care. Mike Babcock said, “He could go (and play), yes, but if we’re not the most paranoid team out there, we’re real close.” This is definitely a good move, as the Wings cannot afford for another defenseman to go down. - Matt

I’m in a bit of a hurry, so this will have to be brief:

Tonight is the 8th and final game between these teams this season. The Wings lead the series 4-3, with wins November 4 (4-1), December 20 (5-0), December 28 (7-4), and April 1 (4-1). The Blue Jackets beat the Wings on December 18th (4-3), January 19th (3-1), and March 22nd (2-1 SO).

The loss on Sunday to the Wings was the Jackets’ third in a row, a skid which followed a four-game winning streak from March 20th until March 27th. They had beaten Chicago, Detroit, and St. Louis (twice) before falling to Anaheim, Chicago, and the Wings the next week the 29th, 30th, and April 1st. They’ll wrap up their season with a game each against Dallas and Anaheim at home.

Fredrik Norrena should be in net again tonight.

Their win over Columbus on Sunday was the Wings’ third in four games. They’d beaten Anaheim (1-0) and Nashville (2-1) before an overtime loss to Dallas (4-3). After tonight, they have only two games left, both against Chicago.

Dominik Hasek should be in net for the Wings.

Nicklas Lidstrom (back) is probable for tonight, according to the Free Press.

Henrik Zetterberg (back) had a great practice yesterday, but won’t return before Thursday in Chicago.

Mathieu Schneider (elbow) did not practice yesterday, but the News says he’ll play.

Via Ansar Khan, Mike Babcock discusses something I’d definitely noticed: Todd Bertuzzi’s habit of always looking for the pass. I know Todd wants to be as unselfish as possible and contribute to his teammates success, but I’m absolutely with Babcock on this one: “Bert likes to pass the puck. Forget that. Langer will pass the puck, you (Bertuzzi) shoot the puck and take it to the net and Calder will be there.”

It’s important that the Wings keep winning, so a strong effort tonight against the Blue Jackets would be good to see. They are three points ahead of Nashville, who play Chicago tonight, and two ahead of Anaheim, who are idle. I have to say that first place isn’t looking all that great right now with the Flames tearing it up. A couple weeks ago, Calgary seemed on its way out, but now they’re one of the league’s hottest, though they probably won’t move out of 8th. Maybe it’d be better if the Wings fell to 2nd!