Pregame: Blue Jackets @ Red Wings – 12/16

Looking to stop a three-game skid, the Detroit Red Wings host the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight. Columbus is on a tear, having won their last six games.

Detroit will see several lineup changes, as Justin Abdelkader and Danny DeKeyser return from injury but Johan Franzen sits due to illness. Xavier Ouellet remains with the club with forward Stephen Weiss placed on injured reserve to keep a roster spot open for him. Jakub Kindl and Brian Lashoff will be the healthy scratches.

Jimmy Howard gets the start in net for the Red Wings.

Stupid stat of the day: The Red Wings have only won two games on the road on December 16 since the Great Expansion. Thankfully, they’re at home tonight.

Game time is 7:30 PM on FSD.