Detroit Red Wings Face Tough Test Against Desperate Calgary Flames Team

It may sound strange, but I'd bet dollars to donuts Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock would much rather face a loaded Vancouver Canucks squad on a seven-game winning streak than a beaten down Flames team coming off an embarrassing home loss on the other side of a two-game skid.

Teams like Calgary, who have had a turbulent start to their season and were recently beaten at home via a 7-2 rout at the hands of the Washington Capitals, are always more dangerous than an elite team riding a big win streak.

The former is desperate and angry, the latter is calm and satisfied.

Which team would you rather face?

The Flames are going to provide a tough test for a Red Wings team that is beginning a swing through Western Canada that has historically proved difficult for them.

Though the Wings beat the Flames 4-2 at Joe Louis Arena a couple of weeks ago, Calgary isn't going to be as easy to best in their own barn.

While Detroit has the talent to overpower the Flames, look for Calgary to come out guns blazing and angry right out of the gate.

Here's some additional things to keep in mind before the puck drops.

Jiri Hudler Will Be a Spectator for the Second Straight Game

The Wings' troubled third-line is still a point of concern for Babcock. To help get two thirds of that line on the right track, he will stick with Justin Abdelkader on the left wing in place of Jiri Hudler.

Being sat down for two straight games will not sit well with Hudler, as it may very well be veteran center Mike Modano that is to blame for his line's poor start.

Modano has only one goal and a minus-seven rating in nine games played with the Wings this year.

It is no doubt respect for Modano's status as a living legend that has kept him in the lineup. However, Babcock has already stated that Hudler will be in the lineup against Edmonton on Friday, leaving some to wonder if Modano's reputation has already done all it can to keep him out of the press box.

Jonathan Ericsson Returns to the Lineup, Wins the D-man Sweepstakes

Third-year defender Jonathan Ericsson will return to the lineup after suffering a back injury in game one of this season.

As excited as he is to hit the ice again, imagine how much more elated he was when he found out his partner was going to be Nicklas Lidstrom.

Babcock wants Ericsson to regain the superb form he exhibited in the 2009 playoffs, but fell short of the proceeding regular season.

Though he'll have a ways to go to get back into game-shape, returning to the lineup with Lidstrom as his partner will surely give him every opportunity to restart his season on the right foot.

Central Logjam Could Get Even Tighter Tonight, or Might Break Loose

Currently, only two points separate the Central Division-leading Blackhawks (15 points) and the bottom-seeded Predators and Red Wings.

All three teams are in action tonight and if Chicago was to lose in regulation and the Preds and Wings win, there would be a three-way tie for the Central Division points lead.

However, Chicago is facing the all-together awful New Jersey Devils, so, they stand an excellent chance of pulling away from the pack, regardless of how the Wings and Preds fare tonight.

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