Detroit Red Wings to end three-game skid at Columbus Blue Jackets - NHL Preview
Recent results have not been kind to Detroit Red Wings but on Tuesday, February 28th, 2012, they have a great opportunity to return back to winning ways when they face Columbus Blue Jackets at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus.
Detroit’s recent run of losses have seen them drop from top spot in the Western Conference, down into fourth place with 85-points but they could return joint top on points with first placed Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.
The Red Wings are on a three game losing streak including two surprising defeats at home ice which ended their record run of 23 wins at home.
However, like every team undergoing a bad patch a visit to the Columbus Blue Jackets turns into the perfect tonic to return back to winning ways.
The Blue Jackets remain at the bottom of the Western Conference with just 43 points and are currently the worst side in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Columbus is also on a two game losing run in which they have managed to ship a total of nine goals to their opponents.
Such a poor defence will give Detroit’s offence an opportunity to just go out and express themselves on the rink.
Red Wings (41-19-3, 85pts)
Detroit, have been unlucky in its last three games losing all of them by one-goal margins.
They lost out to Vancouver at home ice on Thursday. The Red Wings led 3-2 in the final period of the game and looked well on their way to securing a 24th win at home but somehow managed to let Daniel Sedin equalise in the final few seconds to
send the game to overtime.
The Red Wings lost out to their opponents in a shootout, giving up top spot and their record winning run.
Things went worse for Detroit in their next game on Saturday, losing 4-3 to the Colorado Avalanche. The Red Wings mounted a late comeback after being 3-0 at the end of the second period but their efforts were too little too late.
Coach Mike Babcock was furious with his team’s display after the game.
"It's unacceptable to play like that, to be as poor as we were. We had a rally in the third period, but for two games -- and probably for three -- we haven't had much energy."
Blue Jackets (18-37-7, 43pts)
Columbus though will not put up much of a fight to Detroit on Tuesday.
The Blue Jackets are the league’s whipping boys this season and with their defence in all sorts of trouble over the last two games, it will be the perfect opportunity for the Red Wings to get a high scoring morale boosting win.
Predictions
Detroit Red Wings to win emphatically.
Sum of goals will likely be greater than six as the Red Wings offence will have a field day.
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