Red Wings – Blackhawks Pregame Notes

I’ve gotta admit, I’ve got a superficial reason for wanting to watch this afternoon’s Red Wings – Blackhawks matchup. Though they may be incorrect, I love Detroit’s throwback jerseys.

Ty Conklin will make his second start of the season in said jerseys, having won in then at Wrigley Field in the New Year’s Day Winter Classic. Chris Osgood was given the option of starting today or tomorrow and chose to start on the road in the last game before the playoffs.

The Red Wings will be without Marian Hossa, who left Thursday’s game early with a groin injury. He will also miss tomorrow’s game but is expected to return for the start of the playoffs.

Cristobal Huet will start for Chicago. The Blackhawks will be without Patrick Sharp and Brent Sopel, with Kris Versteeg also unlikely to play.

With the Wings locked into the Western Conference’s second seed and the ‘Hawks having clinched fourth place, the two games are virtually meaningless. The Red Wings are 4-0 on the season against the Blackhawks and Chicago is looking to break 100 points in the standings for the first time since 1993.