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Wild-Red Wings Preview

Mar 26, 2010 - 4:18 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Minnesota (35-32-6) at Detroit (37-23-13), 7:30 p.m. EDT

As the Detroit Red Wings attempt to solidify their playoff position in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Wild are running out of time in their quest to reach the postseason.

The surging Red Wings look for a fourth consecutive victory and try to continue their home dominance over the Wild on Friday night.

Though there's still work left to do, Detroit (37-23-13) is in good position to earn its 19th straight postseason berth thanks to a 10-2-1 stretch that's come on the heels of a four-game losing streak. The Red Wings currently own the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. They're four points ahead of ninth-place Calgary, and three points out of sixth place.

"We've been playing playoff hockey for a while here, having to get points every single night," goaltender Jimmy Howard said.

Earning points is even more urgent for Minnesota (36-32-6), seeking its second playoff berth in three seasons. With eight games remaining, the Wild are 12th in the West, nine points behind Detroit.

Making up ground Friday won't be easy. The Wild have lost six of their last seven visits to Detroit, falling to 4-12-0 with a tie all-time at Joe Louis Arena. In the teams' last meeting March 11, Detroit won 5-1 at home to improve to 2-1-0 in the season series.

That victory ignited a 6-0-1 stretch for the Red Wings, who won 4-2 over visiting St. Louis on Wednesday.

Valtteri Filppula had two goals with an assist and Henrik Zetterberg added one of each to help Detroit win its fourth straight home game. The Wings have outscored their opponents 15-6 during that run.

Zetterberg has four goals and four assists in his last four games, and 17 points in his last 11, including a goal and two assists versus Minnesota earlier this month.

"Z has really pushed here as of late," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said.

Howard will celebrate his 26th birthday Friday by making his 21st straight start, the most by a Detroit rookie goalie since Roy Edwards made 23 in a row in 1967-68. He made 30 saves Wednesday to earn his 30th win.

"When you're a kid, you're fresh and it's your first year in the league, you just want to play," Babcock said. "And when you're playing well, you're not thinking and you just want to get in the net."

Howard, 2-0-0 with a 1.92 goals-against average against the Wild, has a 1.68 GAA while winning six of seven overall.

"He has helped keep us in the race," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said.

Kyle Brodziak aided Minnesota's flickering playoff hopes by scoring the winner in a 4-3 overtime victory at Philadelphia on Thursday. Martin Havlat and Andrew Brunette also scored as the Wild rallied from two goals down to avoid a fourth loss in five games.

While Havlat - who added an assist - recorded his first points in five games, Brunette's goal was his second in three contests. Brunette has a goal with two assists against the Red Wings this season, while Havlat has two goals and one assist.