Update (12:42 PM): Dallas Drake has been given the game off in favor of Justin Abdelkader. Chris Chelios is also resting in favor of Jonathan Ericsson. - Matt

Update (11:18 AM): Additional Blackhawk injuries via the Chicago Tribune: Dustin Byfuglien (back disc), Andrei Zyuzin (groin), and Robert Lang (back) are out. Brent Sopel also will not play. - Matt

Update (11:17 AM): George Malik scouts the Blackhawks here. - Matt

This afternoon, the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks meet in the season finale at Joe Louis Arena. The Blackhawks lead the season series 5-2 with wins October 6th (4-3 SO), October 12th (3-2), November 11th (3-2), November 17th (5-3) and March 2nd (6-2). The Wings won the January 6th (3-1) and March 11th (3-1) meetings.

The game will be broadcast on NBC.

The Hawks are winners of their last four and have done everything within their power to make the playoffs. The Predators’ win over the Blues last week, however, eliminated them from contention. Currently with 88 points, they have a chance today to finish one point out of the playoffs.

Rookie Patrick Kane leads the team with 71 points, 51 of which are assists. Patrick Sharp leads the team in goals with 36. Rookie Jonathan Toews (24), Robert Lang (21), and Kane (20) are the only other Blackhawks to crack 20 goals this season.

Martin Havlat (shoulder) and Ben Eager (shoulder) are bothj questionable for today.

Nikolai Khabibulin should get the start.

For the Hawks’ perspective, see The Third Man In.

The Wings are 2-1-1 in their last four. They clinched first place overall with their 3-2 win over Columbus on Thursday and will face Nashville in the first round of the playoffs. They can max out at 115 points with a win today.

Pavel Datsyuk leads the team with 97 points and 66 assists. Henrik Zetterberg’s 92 points are good for second, but his 43 goals are a team high. Datsyuk (31), Johan Franzen (27), Dan Cleary (20), and Tomas Holmstrom (20) are the other Wings to crack 20 goals. Valtteri Filppula has been seitting at 19 goals for the past six games.

Tomas Holmstrom (abdomen/groin) is expected to return today after missing 13 games.

Mikael Samuesslon (groin) remains out. He has not been on the ice much since March 25th and no return timetable has been set.

Kris Draper (groin) also remains out, but told the media yesterday that he’d be in if this were a playoff game. He is expected to play in the post-season opener.

Brad Stuart (broken finger) is out, but should be back for Game 1.

Tomas Kopecky (knee) will be out until training camp or beyond. He is missing the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Brian Rafalski will have the game off today. Derek Meech will play in his place.

The team called up Darren Helm from Grand Rapids yesterday, giving them 13 active forwards. Mike Babcock told the media yesterday that all 13 would dress for warmups and he’ll decide who sits after that. Players likely on the cusp: Justin Abdelkader, Darren Helm, Aaron Downey, and Darren McCarty.

Projected lines:

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom
Filppula-Franzen-Cleary
Drake-Hartigan-McCarty
Hudler-Helm-Abdelkader

Abdelkader was the odd man out in practice yesterday, but my hope is that he plays. I’d also like to see McCarty get in another game, so in this scheme, Downey or Helm sit. I chose Downey because Helm makes that fourth line more dangerous.

Projected pairings:

Lidstrom-Meech
Kronwall-Lilja
Chelios-Lebda

Dominik Hasek is slated to start today.

For more of the Wings’ perspective, see Snapshots, Abel to Yzerman, HockeyTownTodd, Behind the Jersey, No Pun Intended, yzerman is god, Detroit Hockey, LetsGoWings, Red Wings Brasil, BR Red Wings, and Winging It In Motown.

The Blackhawks play for pride today. The Wings play to finetune their game as they head into the post-season. Expect the Hawks to seek to put another feather in their cap with a sixth win over the Wings by playing hard. I hope the Wings can get in this game mentally and avoid that embarrassment.