Detroit Red Wings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets: Game Time, TV, Radio, Live Stream
By Mike Rizzo
The Detroit Red Wings head back to Joe Louis Arena tonight to face a struggling Columbus Blue Jackets team. The Detroit Red Wings have lost four straight.
The Detroit Red Wings come back home tonight to face the last place team in the Metropolitan Division the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Jimmy Howard was outstanding on Sunday against the New York Rangers as he stopped 29 of the Rangers 30 shots. He also stopped a penalty shot on Jesper Fast late in the third.
The Rangers also had a goal disallowed due to goalie interference. The Red Wings didn’t play that poorly during the game although that power play once again struggled. They finished 0-for-4 on the power play but also were 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
The power play for the Red Wings has been dreadful. They are currently 21st in the NHL in power play percentage with 17.7 percent. The Red Wings do way to much passing while their on the power play, instead of getting shots on the net.
This team has some clear issues, Gustav Nyquist for one has absolutely fallen off since his coming out party two years ago. I think it’s fair to say he may be a Johan Franzen type player, a guy who gets 20 goals consistently but way too streaky.
Also, with the exception of Sunday, the defense has been terrible. The Red Wings in my opinion don’t need to trade for a offensive player at the deadline they need to try to get a defensemen.
A top four defensemen is what this team lacks. Jonathan Ericsson and Niklas Kronwall are good pieces but they won’t be in the discussion to win the Norris Trophy.
On a less negative note, Jimmy Howard looked like the Jimmy of old finally. Jimmy Howard was outstanding and still didn’t get the win. If the Red Wings can get that production from Howard along with the goaltending of Petr Mrazek they will be fine.
They also face the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets tonight who have the second worst record in the Eastern Conference. The Red Wings desperately need to take advantage of them.
Here is all the important information for tonight’s game:
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Columbus Blue Jackets (23-29-7) at Detroit Red Wings (29-20-11)
Joe Louis Arena – Detroit, MI
Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: Fox Sports Detroit/ NBC Sports Network
Radio: 97.1 FM/1270 AM in Detroit (click here for affiliates)
Online Streaming: NHL Game Center Live, NBC Live Extra
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Petr Mrazek should be the starter tonight but Jimmy Howard deserves another start soon. The Red Wings need to play with a sense of urgency tonight as the Blue Jackets are having a down year this season.
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