Notes on the second of four meetings between the Wings and the Ducks this season.

… The Wings and Ducks last met on November 14th in a game that resulted in a 7-4 Wings win.

… Since then, the Ducks are 5-3-3, with four of those wins coming in the first five games following their loss to Detroit. They had much less success in recent matchups, winning only their most recent game.

… That came on Tuesday against Dallas at home and took a comeback from a 3-0 deficit to achieve in overtime. Saku Koivu got the game-winner in the final minute of extra time.

… The Ducks are currently without Ryan Carter (foot), Kyle Calder (hyphema) and Teemu Selanne (broken hand). I think we can all be thankful Selanne (and his 54 points in 58 career regular season games against Detroit) will sit this one out.

… Jonas Hiller should get the start. If stupid rumors are to believed (please don’t), JS Gigeure may be able to conveniently switch over to the Wings lockerroom before the game. In reality, however, he’ll be sitting on the bench.

… The Wings are coming off a 1-0 loss to the Blues Wednesday night. Not only did they take a hit to their pride in being shut out at home again, they took a hit to the lineup by losing Dan Cleary to a separated shoulder for a month courtesy of Barrett “Worthless” Jackman.

… With Cleary out, Ville Leino gets a guaranteed spot, which should do wonders for his motivation. Here’s hoping he at least waits a couple games before letting the enthusiasm from being back on the ice wear off.

… Jimmy Howard will get a start despite losing Wednesday because he looked very good against the Blues.

… The Wings are depleted in a major way, but they still have three of the best players in the world in the lineup. Those three just need to start playing like it. Other teams need to rely heavily on 1-3 super stars to carry the team and there’s no reason the Wings can’t adjust to do the same when the need arises. With so many supporting characters out, I think the need has arisen.

It’s time for Nick Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg to deliver. Tonight.