Update (6:40 PM): Livetweeting the game tonight at OtW_InGame. – Matt
The Wings’ second third (thanks, Brad) game against an Eastern Conference team and second on Versus. Here’s hoping it goes better than last time.
… Boston has started the season a disappointing 6-6-1. They’re currently 10th in the East, rather than much closer to the top as they were expected to be this year. The loss of Marc Savard and Milan Lucic to injury and Phil Kessel to the Maple Leafs play a role in that, obviously.
… They’ve managed to alternate wins and losses each game this season. If the trend holds, they’re scheduled to win tonight after being shut out in New York on Sunday.
… Marco Sturm was moved to the top line yesterday as Claude Julien tries to mix things up in an effort to find more goals. The team’s ’08-’09 second line of Wheeler, Krejci and Ryder has been reunited. The Bruins have a strong set of forwards, so this’ll be a good test of the Wings’ team defense.
… Tim Thomas will get the start in net tonight. Holmstrom will want to be careful around that guy. You never know what he might do if he gets angry.
… Ryder missed the skate today, but apparently has done that several times this year and is still likely to play.
… The Wings will look to follow up a solid win in Calgary with another strong performance in their first home game since October 17th. They need to put on a better performance tonight than they did then, when they lost to Colorado 4-3 in overtime.
… The flu bug has hit the Wings’ lockerroom as three defensemen sat out the skate yesterday. One of them, Kronwall, returned to the ice today, but Brian Rafalski and Jonathan Ericsson remain out. Ericsson missed Saturday’s game with the same illness, so you know it must be bad.
… To fill in for Rafalski tonight, Doug Janik has been called up from the Griffins. Janik’s a solid defensive defenseman who should do well. Interesting commentary on where Jakub Kindl’s career stands that he wasn’t the guy given the call.
… Derek Meech will fill in for Ericsson as he did in Calgary.
… Ville Leino will return to the lineup tonight after being scratched against the Flames. He should have plenty of motivation to play hard tonight. Brad May is out with an eye injury, but probably wouldn’t have played anyway.
… Osgood will start in net for the Wings, who need him to be at his best. Boston’s sure to come out guns blazing.
… The Wings have had weakish starts in three straight games, so a better one tonight will be important. They need to be tighter on defense and to focus on playing a complete game. The Bruins haven’t been as good this year, but they’re still dangerous and could make the Wings’ return home an unpleasant experience. Don’t let it happen, guys.