DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings return to Joe Louis Arena on Sunday for a noon meeting with the St. Louis Blues.
TV: NBC (Local 4)
Here are five things to know before puck drop:
1. The Red Wings dropped two games in Florida to close out the week, failing to score more than a goal against both the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. Detroit (87 points) is now just 3 points ahead of the Boston Bruins for the third spot in the Atlantic Division and 4 points ahead of the Ottawa Senators for the final playoff spot. The Lightning are now 8 points ahead of the Red Wings for the second spot in the division.
2. Pavel Datsyuk (lower body injury) did not travel to Florida. He's missed two games with the injury and it's unclear if he'll be back for Sunday's meeting with the Blues.
3. Goalie Jimmy Howard likely gets the start Sunday while Jake Allen will be between the pipes for the Blues.
4. The Blues have lost two straight -- first a 2-1 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets, followed by a 6-3 loss Saturday to the Minnesota Wild. However, St. Louis remains atop the Central Division with 96 points.
5. This is the second and final meeting between the Red Wings and Blues this season. The Red Wings won Jan. 15, 3-2, thanks to a goal by Datsyuk with about 3 seconds remaining in overtime. Petr Mrazek made 25 saves for the win.