Blackhawks – Red Wings Pregame Notes

Though they’ve already got a “home” game under their belts, the Red Wings have their home opener tonight hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Like the Wings, the ‘Hawks opened their season in Europe, going 1-0-1 against the Florida Panthers in Helsinki, Finland.

Tonight’s matchup will be the Detroit debut for Brad May, who signed a one-year deal with the team earlier in the day. His visa paperwork came through meaning Patrick Eaves will have to wait for his first game as a Red Wing.

May will take the place of Justin Abdelkader, who was sent down to Grand Rapids to make room in the lineup when the enforcer was signed.

The Red Wings will be going with one other lineup change, adding Derek Meech to the blueline in place of Brett Lebda.

Chris Osgood will start in goal.

Former Red Wing Tomas Kopecky gave Detroit some bulletin board material, telling the Chicago Sun-Times, “It’ll be fun, and more fun when we beat them.” Kopecky will be playing his first career game against Detroit.

The Blackhawks will be without Marian Hossa, who also left the Wings for Chicago over the summer. He is recovering from shoulder surgery and will be out for two more months.

Game time is 7:30 with television coverage by Fox Sports Detroit.