Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard has been red-hot in recent games posting two shutouts in his last three starts. He’ll have to have another strong game tonight when the Wings play host to a surprising Dallas Stars team at 7PM ET from the Joe Louis Arena.
After last night’s 2-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock has chosen not to change-up his lineup. Forward Todd Bertuzzi remains scratched with swelling in his ear and a sinus infection. Fabian Brunnstrom and Mike Commodore are healthy scratches.
“Every time you can play a good team and win a game it’s a confidence-builder,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “Tonight’s a real test. They’ve played really well. I think they’re at the top of the conference. It’s a battle. The top of the conference and the bottom of the conference, they’re not that far apart.”
The Stars enter the game sitting at 11-4-0 and the second best record in the Western Conference. Dallas will go with backup Andrew Raycroft in net tonight after Kari Lehtonen started last night in Pittsburgh (3-1 loss).
Here is tonight’s anticipated lineup for the Red Wings…
Cleary-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Filppula-Zetterberg-Franzen
Hudler-Helm-Abdelkader
Miller-Emmerton-Eaves
Lidstrom-White
Kronwall-Stuart
Ericsson-Kindl
Howard (starting)
Conklin
Ref: Mlive.com, Zimbio (image)
