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)