Mar. 28 :: Yeah, well… You’re not from Chicago

On By chollis
Chicago Hockey: As Bad As Kevin Costner Acting

WHAT’S ALL THIS THEN?
The Red Wings and Blackhawks renew acquaintances tonight at Joe Louis Arena. Puck drops at 7:30pm Eastern.

NOW WHERE WERE WE?
This is the fourth time these two teams will meet this season, with two more contests to go before the season ends. Those clowns from the Windy City lead the season series 2-1, with the Hawks taking the previous two contests, both by the final score of 4-1.

BEST NAME NOMINEE
Viktor Stalberg sounds like a comic book villain, so he gets the nod tonight.

THEIR LAST GAMES
:: Detroit dropped Toronto by a final of 4-2 on Saturday night.
:: Corey Perry defeated the Blackhawks all by himself, 2-1, on Saturday. That’s what we in the business call a “four-point” game.

EXPECTED LINEUP
By special request, the TPL Glossary is ready to jailsex your eyes.
Cleary — Zetterberg — Hudler
Filppula — Modano — Holmstrom
Franzen — Abdelkader — Bertuzzi
Draper — Helm — Eaves

Lidstrom — Stuart
Kronwall — Ericsson
Salei — Rafalski

Joey Mac
McCollum

OH GOOD, THERE ARE INJURIES
Jimmy Howard [Shoulder]
Chris Osgood [Who Knows]
Pavel Datsyuk [lower body]

HOLY SHIT, SCRATCHES?!?!
Jakub Kindl
Drew Miller

The TPL Name Game ”Three Stars”
Disch: (The HORSECOP is out HORSECOPPING, so no quote from him today.)
Petrella: Jonathan “Don’t Waste My Time With That Bullshit” Ericsson
Hollis: Jiri “This Town Stinks Like A Whorehouse At Low Tide” Hudler
*Now it’s up to you! Think up your best names and throw them in the comments — the best one will be shared for all to enjoy on the TPL Facebook Page. The best of the best will be pitted against one another at season’s end, and the winner takes home a TPL Shirt of their choice.*

TIDBITS
:: Although Jimmy Howard’s injury should only keep him on the shelf for a few games, it might be fortuitous that it comes with the Blackhawks in town. Howard has been less than productive against Chicago, posting a 0-2-0 record alongside a 3.53 GAA and .889 save percentage.
:: While the Wings are all but a mortal lock to make the postseason, there’s still plenty at stake for the Winged Wheel tonight. With the Sharks dead-even in points, wins and losses, the Wings will look to exercise their game-in-hand tonight to put a pair of points between them and SanJo while ensuring that the 2 seed remains theirs at least for another day.
:: On the other side of the coin, the Blackhawks need every point they can get as they try and hang on to the 8th and final playoff seed in the West. The Flames and Stars are both nipping at their heels, so Chicago will be bringing it each and every night in order to have the chance to defend their championship.
:: “Protect this house”? Not so much for Detroit, who has lost three in a row to the Hawks at the Joe.
:: PREDICTION — Hawks 3, Red Wings 2. The Wings have shown a blatant disregard for putting the proverbial skate to the throat, and could do themselves a number of favors by bringing the thunder tonight. Alas, the Wings would likely rather avoid more injuries as opposed to going all out to embarrass a divisional opponent and put their playoff hopes on the line, which is why Chicago escapes the Joe tonight with another “W”.

WHAT WE LEARNED AGAINST THE LEAFS
Brett Lebda. Enough said.