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Blue Jackets-Red Wings Preview

Apr 6, 2010 - 6:00 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Columbus (32-34-14) at Detroit (41-24-14), 7:30 p.m. EDT

Fans at Joe Louis Arena have had plenty to cheer about this season. After Wednesday night, the Detroit Red Wings will have to wait a while before they have their support again.

In their regular-season finale in Detroit, the Red Wings look to keep improving their playoff position as they open a home-and-home series with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

A 24-10-6 record at home has helped Detroit (41-24-14) secure its 19th straight playoff appearance, the longest current run among teams in the four major professional sports. The Red Wings have gone 7-0-1 in their last eight home games.

Detroit, though, will open the playoffs on the road, with the top four spots in the Western Conference out of reach. The Red Wings, who have three games remaining, trail fifth-place Nashville by two points.

Detroit had earned points in 12 straight games (10-0-2) before losing 4-3 at Philadelphia on Sunday, but clinched a playoff berth with Calgary's 4-3 loss to Chicago later in the day.

The Red Wings' postseason streak appeared to be in jeopardy earlier this season, but a post-Olympic break surge led by goaltender Jimmy Howard gave them a lift.

Howard had started 25 straight games before Chris Osgood played against the Flyers. That was the longest streak of consecutive starts by a Detroit goalie since Tim Cheveldae had 29 in a row in 1991-92.

Howard is 34-15-10 with a 2.30 goals-against average and will be the No. 1 goalie in the playoffs, but he is a rookie and Osgood gives coach Mike Babcock an option in case Howard falters.

Osgood said Sunday's game was "a step in the right direction in getting ready for the playoffs." He conceded he was rusty in the first period but felt "great" afterward.

Howard will likely get his 59th start Wednesday, and may not have to face Blue Jackets leading scorer Rick Nash.

Nash, who has 33 goals and 34 assists, missed a 2-1 overtime loss to St. Louis on Monday night due to an upper-body injury. His status is uncertain.

Eliminated from postseason contention, Columbus (32-34-14) may have trouble getting motivated for its final two games. The Blue Jackets, though, are getting a chance to give some of their younger players more time.

Chad Kolarik made his NHL debut after being recalled from Syracuse of the AHL prior to Monday's game. He was acquired from Phoenix on March 3 for forward Alexandre Picard.

Kolarik, a Michigan graduate, had 26 goals and 24 assists in 75 AHL games this season.

Derick Brassard, finishing up his first full season with the Blue Jackets, snapped a nine-game goal drought. The 22-year-old center, selected sixth overall in the 2006 draft, has nine goals and 27 assists.

Columbus has lost three straight, scoring two goals or fewer in each contest. The Blue Jackets have a total of five goals in four games this season against the Red Wings, who lead the series 3-0-1.