Update (3:37 PM): It turns out Torres will play after all. Also, there’s an adjusted lines projection based on the morning skate. - Matt

Briefly:

… This is the fifth of six games between the two clubs this season. The series is tied 2-2, with Columbus winning the last two. The final meeting is March 15th.

… Columbus is 5-4-1 since we saw them last, and have lost two of three thus far in March. They skated to a 4-2 loss in Nashville on Thursday.

… They are 7th in the West, one of four Central teams currently in the top eight.

… The Jackets will be without Jason Chimera (groin), Fredrik Modin (knee), Raffi Torres (oblique), and Michael Peca (possible concussion). Modin and Torres were both injured Thursday.

… Steve Mason will start for the 11th straight game. He’s been playing ever since returning from a bout with mono.

… Probable Jackets lines and pairings, via the Columbus Dispatch:

Huselius-Malholtra-Nash
Umberger-Vermette-Voracek
Novotny-Williams-Boll
Murray-Gratton-Dorsett

Commodore-Hejda
Tyutin-Methot
Russell-Klesla

Vermette was one of two Jacket trade deadline acquisitions. Goalie Kevin Lalande was the other.

… The Wings are 6-2-1 since their last meeting with the Jackets. They are winners of their last two.

… They are second in the West and the League with 94 points. San Jose also has 94 points, but has played 2 fewer games and take the points percentage tie-breaker.

… Detroit will be without Marian Hossa (knee, neck, back), Andreas Lilja (concussion), and Tomas Holmstrom (sports hernia). Both Hossa and Holmstrom are apparently close to returning, but Lilja seems a ways off.

… Chris Osgood gets the start for Detroit. He’ll be looking for his 300th career win as a Red Wing. Here’s hoping he gets it so he doesn’t have to think about that particular number any more.

… The Wings used these lines and pairings in practice yesterday:

Franzen-Datsyuk-Samuelsson
Kopecky-Zetterberg-Cleary
Hudler-Filppula-Maltby
Meech-Draper-Downey

Lidstrom-Rafalski
Ericsson-Kronwall
Lebda-Stuart

… It’s important that the Wings pull out a win tonight, as San Jose also has a game. Detroit’s facing a slightly more desperate opponent than San Jose’s Vancouver and will need to beat the Jackets’ intensity.

It’s a possible first round matchup, so I’d like to see the Wings demonstrate mastery in this one.