Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets: With Jimmy Howard Out, Columbus Will Be Tough Test

The Red Wings entered Saturday's game against the Washington Capitals 5-0.

They left the Verizon Center with that record just becoming visible in their rearview mirror.

That's still a damn good start, but the utter destruction Detroit fell victim to via a 7-1 beatdown sure put their heretofore hot start in perspective.

True, they've been playing great, but, they've still got quite a bit of work to do to beat the better teams in the league.

Now, there's not too much to get worried about here.

The Washington loss was an ugly one, but it was just one game.

Detroit had their opportunities to hang in there, but failed to make the most of them and Washington goalie Tomas Vokoun was dominant from start to finish.

However, though a loss appeared certain by the end of the second period, one thought it might have been via a 4-2 or even 4-3 score—close enough to make it a respectable outing, if not a totally successful one.

Instead, Ty Conklin did his fair share to cement the baseball score as he was clearly not comfortable and out of sync in net.

Considering the Wings week-long layoff between games and Conklin's two-week hiatus from the net, his poor performance is still not something that should be excused, but perhaps a little easier understood.

However, he won't have long to wait to attempt redemption as he will likely start tomorrow night when the Red Wings face the NHL's worst team, the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Red Wings starter Jimmy Howard and his wife Rachel just welcomed their first child on Sunday.

The ever-classy and family focused Red Wings front office has all but insisted Howard take some extra time to be with his wife and newborn son, and this time will include tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

Howard coming back in net after a poor performance by Ty Conklin would be a great way for the Wings to forget their epic first loss of the season.

However, when the game starts, they will see the same guy who was lit up for seven goals trying to stop everything he sees.

Now, some would say this isn't too much of an issue as the Blue Jackets aren't exactly the Washington Capitals.

However, they will have their premier (or at least premier-paid) defender, James Wisniewski, on the ice for the first time this season.

At this point, Wisniewski is the one and only slight glimmer of hope that perhaps the Blue Jackets can turn their worst-ever start around against their division rivals.

Wisneiwski's return is going to get his team believing the worst is over and their winning ways are ready to start.

Though Wisneiwski's true value to the team (and the league for that matter) has yet to be calculated, he will be a jolt of energy both on and off the ice and may well provide enough of it to make the Blue Jackets a dangerous opponent on Tuesday night.

The Wings will hope Conklin can step up to the challenge and erase all memory of his Saturday night sieve impersonation.

However, if he's unable to turn away the onslaught from what should be the most desperate and determined team in the league, the Red Wings will have the dubious distinction of being the only team in the league to be beaten by the best and worst teams in the NHL.

That would put the Wings' 5-0 start a little further back in their rearview mirror than they'd like.

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