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Red Wings look to avoid rare losing streak

Nov 28, 2008 - 11:27 AM Columbus (9-9-3) at Detroit (14-3-4) 7:30 p.m. EST

DETROIT (Ticker) -- Losing streaks are not something the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings are accustomed to.

That is exactly what they will try to avoid when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.

Detroit has lost two straight for just the second time, limited to a total of three goals in those contests after scoring three goals or more in eight straight games.

Johan Franzen scored his 10th goal, but Ty Conklin lost for the second time as Detroit was beaten by Montreal, 3-1, on Wednesday.

The Red Wings will continue to be without Tomas Holmstrom, who has missed the last four games and will be out at least two more weeks due to inflammation in a disc in his back.

Columbus hopes to have better fortunes on the road after dropping its third straight home game Wednesday. Kristian Huselius and Jason Chimera each scored a goal, but Phoenix emerged with a 3-2 triumph.

The Blue Jackets rank last in the NHL on the power play, converting just 11 percent of their chances with the man advantage. They are 2-of-40 over their last eight games.