Detroit Red Wings GameDay: vs. Minnesota (15-10-2, 32 Pts) 7:30 ET

Update (7:55 PM): Abel to Yzerman has the usual liveblog-in-comment-thread going on.  - Matt

Update (7:38 PM): If you’re an out-of-market fan and can’t watch the game on NHL Center Ice because of the NHL Network blackout, you can catch it online here on NHL TV. It’s even the FSN Detroit feed. - Matt

Update (4:05 PM): Looks like it won’t be Niklas Backstrom in net for the Wild after all, as Michael Russo (after disparaging comments about Detroit) reports that Josh Harding will start instead. That’s a bit of a relief, as Backstrom is one of the League’s better young goalies. (via Snapshots) - Matt

Update (3:15 PM): George Sipple reports that Kirk Maltby told hhim he’d see a specialist today in an effort to understand what’s going on with his back, which has kept him out of the past four games. Malts says that it’s no worse than it was, but it’s no better, despite rest. Hopefully the doctor will have good news. - Matt

Update (3:10 PM): Bruce MacLeod has an update from practice. Nothing new, as Kirk Maltby (back) did not skate and Kris Draper (knee) only skated on his own. - Matt

In a hurry this morning, so this’ll be brief:

Tonight is the first of four games between these two teams this season. The Wings won series last year, 3-1. They’ll meet again on the 20th of this month, the 10th of next month, and the 5th of the month after that to wrap things up.

The Wild had a four-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday with a 3-1 loss to Philadelphia at home. Tonight’s game kicks off a five-game road trip that will take them next to Columbus (tomorrow), San Jose, Anaheim, and LA.

Marian Gaborik is the team leader in goals with 10 and in assists with 22. Pierre-Marc Bouchard is the leader in assists with 19.

The Wild have a fair number of injuries. Via the Freep: “D Nick Schultz (throat), out; F Mark Parrish (hip), D Kurtis Foster (face), F Derek Boogaard (back), C Mikko Koivu (knee), D Petteri Nummelin (head), questionable.”

Niklas Backstrom should be the starter tonight for Minnesota. He’s posted a 2.26 GAA and .915 save-percentage thus far this season.

For the Wild perspective, see The State of Hockey News, Wild Puck Banter, Casual Hockey, Puck Wild, In the State of Hockey, and Land of Lakes and Hockey.

The Wings have won their last four and are coming off a dominating performance against the Montreal Canadiens. Tonight is the first of a two-game mini-homestand. They’ll see Carolina next, on Sunday, before heading to Nasvhville Monday.

Henrik Zetterberg still leads in goals with 18, but Pavel Datsyuk is making a bid to catch up, having scored seven over his last five. He has 11 now, and leads in assists with 20.

Kris Draper (knee) and Kirk Maltby (back) are both out tonight, which means Matt Ellis and Aaron Downey will remain in the lineup and on the fourth line.

Dominik Hasek will get his second consecutive start.

For more of the Wings perspective, see Snapshots, Gorilla Crouch, Abel to Yzerman, HockeyTownTodd, Gloveside, Behind the Jersey, No Pun Intended, Red Wings Nation, and Winging It In Motown.

The Wild had a stretch of strong play interrupted by the Flyers this week and will be looking to pick up where they left off before that game. The Wings need to continue with the strong defense that shut down the Montreal power play and find a way to shut down Marian Gaborik. It should be an interesting game, with both teams great on defense, but with different styles.