The Detroit Red Wings (31-8-0-3) will try to solve one of their divisional foes tonight when they travel to Chicago to face the Blackhawks (19-18-2-1).

Detroit is currently atop the NHL standings, 7 points ahead of the 2nd place Ottawa Senators. The Redwings clearly have been the best in the league this season, and one of the best teams for years in the NHL. A balanced team to be sure, the Red Wings are the number 1 team when it comes to goals against and the number 2 team when it comes to goals for.

Goaltending has been solid , with Hasek and Osgood sharing responsibilities this season. Osgood in fact, leads all goalies this season with a miniscule 1.71 goals against average. Hasek got the start yesterday so I would have to think Osgood will be between the pipes tonight. Detroit’ defense is very sound, they don’t give you many chances at goal, closing down shooting lanes and shot blocking is their specialty. Lidstrom on defense, is one of the best the game has ever seen.

The Wings can of course score with the best of them, netting an average of 3.5 goals per game this season, and have averaged 3.29 on the road this season. Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk have been on fire this season, and when you throw Lidstrom into the mix, this trio is very difficult to contain on most nights.

Detroit road record is the 2nd best in the league at 14-5-0-2. However, they have had their problems this season with divisional opponents, and this would of course include the Blackhawks. Infact, the Wings have lost a total of 11 games this season and the Blackhawks were responsible for 4 of these. These results are a reversal of last season, when the Wings won 4 of 5 against the Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks are hurting these days, and their recent performance illustrates the toll injuries have taken on them. The Hawks have lost 4 straight and 6 of the past 10 games, including 9-2 defeat at the hands of the lowly LA Kings just 5 nights ago. They do have a winning record at home this season, but have struggled against the NHL’s better teams (aside from the Red Wings)when playing in their own building.

The odds on the Wings tonight are pretty good all things considered. Despite their struggles with the Blackhawks this season, its important to remember, the Wings are the Leagues’ best right now. They are superior in all facets of the game when compared to the Blackhawks. Better goaltending, better defense and more talented forwards up front is why they should win this contest. Also, the Blackhawks will have a few important players missing tonight. I think the Wings will be want to put an end to the Hawks’ recent inning streak over them and tonight should be a good time to do it when the Hawks are at a low point and have some injury concerns. Osgood is likely to go tonight for the Wings which could be a nice change since 3 of the 4 Chicago wins have come against Hasek this season.

The Pick :

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