Pregame: Red Wings @ Blackhawks – 4/12

A night after a 3-2 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks, the Red Wings are on the road to visit the Chicago Blackhawks in a virtual must-win for Detroit.

The Blackhawks can clinch the Central with a win and any kind of Detroit loss would clinch a playoff spot for the Anaheim Ducks. The Wings, meanwhile, sit in eighth place in the standings, two points back of Minnesota and two points up on Phoenix, all with 40 games played.

Detroit is expected to roll almost the same lineup as they did against San Jose. Brendan Smith will be swapped out on the blue line for Carlo Colaiacovo.

Jimmy Howard, as expected, gets the start in goal.

Stupid stat of the day: All-time Detroit is 36-81-11 when playing on the road the day after a loss at home.

Game time is 8:30 PM on FSD+.