Update (3:01 PM): Franzen’s confirmed out. Pavel skated with Cleary and Bertuzzi. - Matt
Family in town, so real quick:
… This is the fourth and final game beween the Wings and the Sharks. The series stands at 2-1-0 in San Jose’s favor. They won the first two, but the Wings took the last meeting 3-2 last month.
… The Sharks are 2-3-3 in March, but won their last: 2-1 against Nashville in a shootout.
… They’re 35-25-10 and one point out of the playoffs at 80. They’re chasing Colorado and have three games on the Avs.
… The Sharks are down just one guy, Tommy Wingels.
… Antti Niemi’s the presumptive starter.
… The Wings will look to improve their 2-5-0 record in March.
… They’ve lost their last three, starting with a 3-2 decision to the Predators and continuing with losses to LA and Anaheim.
… This stretch and their 3-7-1 record since February 19th have put them 8 points back of the ridiculously consistent Blues in the Central and in fourth place in the Conference. They’re virtually to the point now where they’re fighting for the last home ice spot with Nashville. The Preds are one point back.
… The Wings will benefit from the return of Pavel Datsyuk, who’s missed 11 games. He last played against San Jose.
… They’ll be missing Johan Franzen, however, who went down with back spasms yesterday.
… Nick Lidstrom’s not with the team in San Jose, having returned to Detroit to take time away from the ice to give his ankle more rest.
… They’re also without the option of Joey MacDonald as backup, as he has back spasms too. Jordan Pearce will back Jimmy Howard up.
… The Wings have had an awful trip so far. They need to do what they can to redeem it by putting in a better effort tonight. The Sharks are desperate for points and will be formidable, but the Wings have reason to match that desperation, with the Predators breathing down their neck. In theory, it should be a closely-matched, hard-fought game.