GameDay: @ Anaheim Mighty Ducks (27-18-6, 60 Pts) 10:00 ET

that this latest injury is unrelated to the “specific disc problem” which kept him out of 19 games last season: “I think this is more muscular.”

He was a voted-in All-Star, but withdrew as a result of this latest back issue. Mike Ribeiro of Dallas was named his replacement.

Dallas Drake (knee) is also listed as out.

Aaron Downey and Matt Ellis will remain in the lineup.

Projected lines:

Cleary-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Hudler-Filppula-Samuelsson
Draper-Franzen-Maltby
Downey-Kopecky-Ellis

Projected pairings:

Lidstrom-Rafalski
Kronwall-Lilja
Lebda-Chelios

There’s a chance Babcock will sit Chris Chelios in favor of Derek Meech tonight because it’s the second game of a back-to-back, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he choses to keep the veteran in the lineup. It is Anaheim, after all.

Dominik Hasek will get the start.

For more of the Wings’ perspective, see Snapshots, Abel to Yzerman, HockeyTownTodd, Behind the Jersey, No Pun Intended, Red Wings Nation, yzerman is god, Detroit Hockey, LetsGoWings, and Winging It In Motown.

Tonight is an important game for the Wings as they will look to assert their dominance of the Western Conference with a win over the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Their last visit to Anaheim was something of an embarrassment and the only blight on a otherwise successful four-game road trip. They responded to that game with a nine game winning streak. They have a chance here at some revenge and to keep the Ducks from returning to their recent winning ways.

Remember, the game starts at 10:00 ET tonight, not 10:30.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?