Update (12:38 PM): Elliotte Friedman tweeted a few minutes ago:

No Eaves tonight for Wings

He doesn’t offer any further information on whether it’s a healthy scratch or because he’s sick or injured.

If it’s a healthy scratch, I’ll be a little pissed. Eaves has been very good since Edmonton and has earned the priviledge of not being unceremoniously dumped from the lineup for Brad May. I like May, but Eaves is bringing more to the table right now. Is May’s pugilism really necessary tonight when you could have Eaves’ speed and chemistry with the other third liners?

But that’s assuming he’s a healthy scratch (probably a good assumption—someone has to sit for May—, but an assumption nonetheless). It could be, though, that he’s just sick, which would be another easy assumption to make given the bug going around.

Anyway, I’ll be away from the computer up until gametime, so no more updates from me this afternoon. If my alternate account is functional, I’ll be livetweeting at OtW_InGame. – Matt

A nicely paradoxical meeting tonight: “Yeah! O6 matchup with the Leafs! History FTW!” but “Oh, they suck this year so…” But it’s the weekend leading up to the Hockey Hall of Fame inductions, which includes honoring Steve Yzerman and two one-time Wings, so that’ll make it more special.

… For the second game in a row, the Wings will face a team that played the night before. The Leafs won the Battle of the Bottom in Carolina last night to take their second win of the season and improve to a 2-7-5 record.

… They held on by the “skin of their chinny chin chin” last night (direct quote from the Leafs TV announcer—thanks, On the Fly), so maybe they’re even more tired than is usual for the second game of a back-to-back. On top of that, they had to fly home from Carolina.

… The Leafs are 0-4-2 at home this season.

… TSN helpfully points out that they’ve won their last two against the Wings. I don’t want to think about that.

… The Leafs big off-season offensive acquisition Phil Kessel has played two games for the Leafs since coming back from a shoulder surgery he had while a Bruin. He’s goalless, but he’s apparently looking pretty good. I can only hope Kronwall greets him in the same way Ohlund did the other night.

… The other big off-season acquisition, Jonas Gustavsson, was in net for the Leafs last night and made 34 saves. I haven’t seen anything official, but it looks like he’ll be in net again. He’s a big guy and a pretty good goalie. Should be a good test for the Wings’ offense.

… The Wings have won three in a row, including a shootout win over San Jose on Thursday. They’ll be looking to do something similar against a team at the other end of the standings this time around and you know how that can turn out to be more complicated than you’d think.

… Brad May’s supposed to return to the lineup tonight and he’ll be wearing a visor. I wonder how long that’ll last. No word yet on who he’ll replace. It’ll be a tough case for Babcock to make, as each of the forwards are playing well lately.

… Nothing official on the starter for the Wings, but Osgood should be in net.

… This game should be a gimme. Which is exactly why it probably won’t be. The Wings need to come in expecting to have to work hard, because even slumping Original Six teams get up to play other Original Six teams. They can’t take a win for granted.

Make it four, guys.