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Shorthanded Red Wings aim to bounce back after All-Star break

Jan 27, 2009 - 2:12 PM Detroit (31-9-6) at Columbus (22-20-5), 7:00 pm EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- With the All-Star break over, the Detroit Red Wings will hope to get back on track.

The Red Wings will attempt to avoid a third straight loss Tuesday, when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets in the finale of a season-long, six-game road swing.

Before the midseason gala, Detroit suffered back-to-back losses in regulation for the first time this season. In their previous nine games, the Central Division-leading Red Wings posted an 8-0-1 record.

Detroit will have to end its current skid without All-Stars Pavel Datsyuk and defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, who have to sit out the game after failing to attend the All-Star festivities.

The NHL issued a rule last season that All-Stars who are injured must have missed at least the last game before the break in order to be excused. Otherwise, they must miss the first regular-season game after the break.

Datsyuk missed the midseason gala with a hip injury suffered during last Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes and Lidstrom has been dealing with tendinitis in his right elbow.

The Blue Jackets are also looking to avoid a third straight loss. Columbus, which is opening a four-game homestand, is two points out of eighth place in the Western Conference.