Hockey Today
SCOREBOARD
Thursday, Jan. 1
Detroit at Chicago (1 p.m. EST). The Red Wings’ 701st meeting with the host Blackhawks will be unlike any other as the teams head outside in the cold for the Winter Classic at baseball’s historic Wrigley Field.
STARS
Wednesday
— Steve Mason, Blue Jackets, became the first Columbus goalie to post shutouts in three consecutive games in a 2-0 victory over Anaheim.
— Mike Comrie, Islanders, scored twice in New York’s three-goal second period as the team beat Florida 4-2.
— Loui Eriksson, Stars, scored Dallas’ first short-handed goal of the season and added an empty-netter with 40 seconds left in a 4-2 victory over New Jersey.
— Sergei Samsonov, Hurricanes, had two goals and an assist in Carolina’s 3-1 victory.
SHUTOUTS
Steve Mason became the first Columbus goalie to post shutouts in three consecutive games, stopping 27 shots and leading the Blue Jackets to a 2-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. The rookie extended his shutout streak to a franchise-record 182 minutes, 8 seconds and lowered his NHL-leading goals-against average to 1.69. His fifth shutout tied injured Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo for the most in the league.
SIDELINED
Devils goalie Martin Brodeur is working out off ice as his rehab continues from surgery two months ago to reattach a torn tendon in his left arm. Brodeur is on schedule to return in February. … New York placed 37-year-old forward Mike Sillinger on the injured list with a hip injury. Sillinger missed the first 24 games this season while recovering from hip surgery.
SNAPPED
Minnesota beat San Jose 3-2 in overtime for the Wild’s first win in 10 games against a Western Conference opponent. The worst Western Conference stretch in Minnesota history was a 12-game drought (0-6-4-2) from March 6 to April 4, 2001.
STATS
Owen Nolan’s power-play goal was the first by Minnesota in nine home games against San Jose dating to Feb. 7, 2003. … Carolina’s Eric Staal had an assist, giving him 38 points in 34 games against Atlanta—his most against any opponent.
ROAD TRIP
The New York Islanders are facing a tough four-game trip and won’t be back at Nassau Coliseum for two weeks. With Wednesday’s 4-2 victory over Florida, New York has won consecutive home games after going nearly a month without a victory there.
SPEAKING
“To look out and see the rooftops and bleachers while being on an ice surface was the craziest thing in the world, especially at Wrigley Field,”— Chris Chelios, the Detroit defenseman and Chicago native about the Winter Classic being played at Wrigley Field.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Ty Conklin made 36 saves for the shutout on Tuesday night as the Red Wings cruised to a 4-0 victory over the Blackhawks.
The Wings were winners as -145 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (6).
Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 35 of 39 shots in Chicago's 4-0 loss to Detroit on Tuesday night.
The Wings were winners as -145 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (6).
Team records:
Detroit: 24-7-5
Chicago: 20-7-7
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 9-1
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing Chicago are 9-1
After a win are 5-5
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing Detroit are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Detroit is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Chicago
Detroit is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Detroit is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games on the road
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Chicago is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Chicago's last 12 games at home
Next up:
Detroit at Minnesota, Saturday, January 3
Chicago home to Calgary, Sunday, January 4
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins
Petr Sykora and Pascal Dupuis scored in Pittsburgh's 5-2 loss to Boston on Tuesday night.
The Bruins pulled out the victory as -130 road favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (6).
Marc Savard had a goal and two assists on Tuesday night to lead the Bruins to a 5-2 win over the Penguins.
The Bruins pulled out the victory as -130 road favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (6).
Current streak:
Pittsburgh has lost 2 straight games.
Boston has won 9 straight games.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 19-14-4
Boston: 28-5-4
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Ottawa are 6-4
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3
Boston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Ottawa are 5-5
After playing Pittsburgh are 2-8
After a win are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games
Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston's last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 9 games
Next up:
Pittsburgh home to Florida, Saturday, January 3
Boston home to Buffalo, Saturday, January 3
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Adam Mair and Clarke MacArthur had the Sabres goals in their 4-2 loss to the Capitals on Tuesday night.
The Capitals had been listed at EVEN odds on the road in that contest, while the combined score was a PUSH against the night's posted total (6).
Pavel Kubina scored in overtime on Tuesday night as the Maple Leafs picked up a 4-3 win over the Thrashers.
The Leafs were pegged as -145 home favorites by the oddsmakers in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (6).
Team records:
Buffalo: 17-15-5
Toronto: 15-16-6
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Washington are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Atlanta are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games on the road
Buffalo is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Buffalo is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Buffalo's last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Toronto's last 15 games when playing at home against Buffalo
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Buffalo
Next up:
Buffalo at Boston, Saturday, January 3
Toronto home to Ottawa, Saturday, January 3
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals
Vaclav Prospal had the lone Tampa Bay goal in their 2-1 shootout loss to Montreal on Tuesday night.
The Canadiens pulled out the victory as -125 road favorites in that contest, while the combined score fell well UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).
Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and an assist on Tuesday night to lead the Capitals to a 4-2 win over the Sabres.
The Capitals had been listed at EVEN odds on the road in that contest, while the combined score was a PUSH against the night's posted total (6).
Current streak:
Washington has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Tampa Bay: 10-16-10
Washington: 24-11-3
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Montreal are 3-7
After a loss are 2-8
Washington most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Calgary are 4-6
After playing Buffalo are 3-7
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 9 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Tampa Bay's last 17 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing Washington
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Washington is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Next up:
Tampa Bay home to Carolina, Saturday, January 3
Washington home to NY Rangers, Saturday, January 3
Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators
The Canucks fell 3-2 to the Flyers last time out, as -125 favorites at home. The five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler answered in the loss.
The Predators were defeated 5-1 by the Avalanche last time out, as +130 road underdogs. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Jason Arnott scored the only goal in the loss.
Current streak:
Nashville has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Vancouver: 20-15-3
Nashville: 17-16-3
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-6-1
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Colorado are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Vancouver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vancouver's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games on the road
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 5 games at home
Nashville is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Nashville's last 9 games
Nashville is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
Next up:
Vancouver at Atlanta, Friday, January 2
Nashville home to Calgary, Saturday, January 3
DETROIT (24-7-0-5, 53 pts.) at CHICAGO (20-8-0-6, 46 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 68-70 ATS (-41.8 Units) in January games since 1996.
CHICAGO is 23-15 ATS (+41.5 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in home games in January games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 13-6 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 13-6-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
9 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.9 Units)
TAMPA BAY (10-16-0-10, 30 pts.) at WASHINGTON (24-11-0-3, 51 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 10-26 ATS (+41.0 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 4-17 ATS (+24.4 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 3-14 ATS (+22.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 3-14 ATS (+22.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season this season.
WASHINGTON is 24-14 ATS (+43.4 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 13-4 ATS (+8.5 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
TAMPA BAY is 11-5 ATS (+17.8 Units) in road games in January games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 9-8 (+2.4 Units) against the spread versus TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 9-8-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
12 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+6.5 Units)
PITTSBURGH (19-14-0-4, 42 pts.) at BOSTON (28-4-0-5, 61 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 28-9 ATS (+18.0 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 16-3 ATS (+16.0 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
BOSTON is 30-14 ATS (+14.4 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 41-23 ATS (+13.0 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 33-21 ATS (+10.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 9-1 ATS (+7.4 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more this season.
PITTSBURGH is 21-8 ATS (+11.4 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-5 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 5-5-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.7 Units)
BUFFALO (17-15-0-5, 39 pts.) at TORONTO (15-16-0-6, 36 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 56-63 ATS (-39.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 10-17 ATS (-16.0 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
BUFFALO is 15-25 ATS (-21.9 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 6-10 ATS (-11.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
BUFFALO is 6-10 ATS (-11.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season this season.
BUFFALO is 183-128 ATS (+33.9 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
BUFFALO is 143-102 ATS (+22.9 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
TORONTO is 74-87 ATS (-47.3 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
TORONTO is 36-51 ATS (+87.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 8-18 ATS (-17.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 7-10 (+0.9 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 10-7-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.9 Units)
VANCOUVER (20-15-0-3, 43 pts.) at NASHVILLE (17-16-0-3, 37 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 17-25 ATS (-13.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 201-201 ATS (-68.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 96-103 ATS (-44.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 46-30 ATS (+78.5 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 7-3 (+3.4 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 7-3-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.8 Units)
DETROIT vs. CHICAGO
Detroit is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Chicago
Detroit is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
BUFFALO vs. TORONTO
Buffalo is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Buffalo is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Toronto is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Toronto's last 15 games when playing at home against Buffalo
PITTSBURGH vs. BOSTON
Pittsburgh is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston's last 9 games at home
TAMPA BAY vs. WASHINGTON
Tampa Bay is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 10 games on the road
Washington is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
VANCOUVER vs. NASHVILLE
Vancouver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Nashville
Nashville is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 5 games at home
Hot teams
-- Blackhawks won nine of their last ten games.
-- Lightning won three of their last four games. Caps won four in a row, nine of last ten games.
-- Bruins won their last nine games, outscoring foes 42-20.
Cold teams
-- Red Wings lost five of their last six road games.
-- Penguins lost eight of their last twelve games.
-- Sabres lost four of their last five games. Maple Leafs lost three of their last four games.
-- Predators lost six of their last nine games. Canucks lost three of their last four games.
Totals
-- Last five Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Tampa Bay games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Boston games went over the total.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Buffalo games.
-- Under is 10-3 in last 13 Nashville games, but last two went over.
Back-to-Back
-- Canucks are 4-2 if they have another game the next night.
Series Records
-- Red Wings won three in row, five of last six against Chicago.
-- Washington won five of last six games against the Lightning.
-- Bruins won three of last four games against Pittsburgh.
-- Sabres won eight of last eleven visits to Toronto.
-- Canucks won their last five games against Nashville.
Red Wings and Blackhawks take the pond at Wrigley Field
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
For one day, the "Friendly Confines" will be transformed into the "Frozen Confines."
The center of the hockey world on New Year's Day will be the corner of Clark and Addison as the Chicago Blackhawks meet the Detroit Red Wings in the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. Books have the Chicago set as a -128 home favorite while the total is listed at 5.5 goals.
Opened in 1914 and long known for its charm and ivy-covered outfield walls, the home of baseball's Cubs has also been the former home of the Chicago Bears and hosted other events, including concerts.
But on Thursday, Wrigley will feature the 701st matchup of two of the league's Original Six teams - Detroit has won four Stanley Cups in 11 years while Chicago is enjoying a resurgence after a decade of mediocrity that has included just one postseason appearance.
Though Detroit has won the first three games of the season series, Chicago defenseman Brian Campbell said this game should be different.
"It will be like a playoff game," he said. "I think the guys are revved up for it and want to show what they can do on national TV."
What fans will see are two of the league's top offenses. Detroit features six players with at least 11 goals, and leads the NHL with 132 scored this season. Chicago is fourth with 123 goals, but 45 have come from Patrick Sharp (19), reigning Calder Trophy winner Patrick Kane (16) and rookie Kris Versteeg (10).
A pair of hot goaltenders also will be tested. The Blackhawks' official Web site reported Cristobal Huet will start for Chicago (20-7-7), which trails Central Division-leading Detroit (24-7-5) by six points with two games in hand.
Huet has split time with Nikolai Khabibulin this season, and is 9-5-3 with a 2.30 goals-against average and one shutout, but didn't lose in regulation in December. In seven starts, Huet was 6-0-1 with a 1.41 GAA, and has conceded just four goals during a five-game winning streak.
The only thing standing between Huet and a perfect record was a 5-4 shootout loss on Dec. 7 in Detroit.
Ty Conklin, a veteran of outdoor games, will again start for the Red Wings in place of Chris Osgood, who remains day-to-day with a groin injury.
While with the Oilers in 2003, Conklin stopped 19 shots in a 4-3 loss to Montreal before more than 57,000 fans in the Heritage Classic at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium. Last New Year's Day, Conklin had 36 saves through overtime for Pittsburgh in a 2-1 shootout win over Buffalo in front of 71,217 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. in the league's first Winter Classic.
Though playing outside in the regular season is still something of a novelty, Conklin said it's really business as usual.
"Once it starts, it turns into a hockey game," said Conklin, 6-0-0 with a 2.04 GAA in his career against Chicago.
Perhaps the biggest issue going into this game will be the condition of the ice and the weather forecast. Players practiced on Wednesday, and came away less than impressed.
"It's so cold out there it's chipping away," said 46-year-old Chicago native and Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios. "You worry about the safety of the players. Whatever happens to both teams, hopefully it's not a hazard as far as injuries."
It's expected to be mostly cloudy in Chicago on Thursday with a high of 34 degrees and a 20 percent chance of snow.
The ice may not be the only thing that's chippy. The Blackhawks' franchise-record nine-game winning streak was snapped with a 4-0 road loss to the Red Wings on Monday in a contest that featured plenty of rough play.
Kane suffered a leg injury as the result of a hard check by Detroit's Dan Cleary, and didn't practice on Wednesday.
"I'm going to try it tomorrow. I'm going to do my best to treat it as much as I can today," Kane said. ''Last night I was just kind of ahead and (my) skate got caught in the ice. Unfortunate play. Clean hit with that. Nothing you can do about it."
Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said Kane will play.
Conklin made 36 saves for his seventh career shutout, and Johan Franzen scored twice for the defending champions.
"You've got to play well against the good teams," said Franzen, who is tied with Marian Hossa for the team lead with 17 goals. "We kind of need that on this team to get motivated."
Pavel Datsyuk had a goal and assist, giving him seven goals and nine assists in a season-high eight-game points streak. Datsyuk leads Detroit with 26 assists and 41 points.
Six-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman and Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom is expected to be back in the lineup after missing two games with an ankle injury.
NHL Winter Classic
By Judd Hall
In what is fast becoming a tradition for the NHL, the Blackhawks and Red Wings will take to the ice at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Day for the Winter Classic. And a nice little wrinkle for this game is the fact that it actually has some meaning to the standings instead of just being chilly spectacle.
Chicago has undergone a rebirth over the last two seasons thanks to a pair of hockey’s hottest young players in winger Patrick Kane and center Jonathan Toews. This duo has provided the ‘Hawks with 25 goals and 44 assists in 2008. The Blackhawks major signing of the offseason, blue liner Brian Campbell, has paid off as well with six scores and 20 helpers and a plus-six rating. He only had five goals last season with 54 assists while with the Sabres and Sharks.
The Blackhawks are also getting inspired goaltending this year from Nikolai Khabibulin. The Russian backstop has gone 11-2-4 with a goals against average of 2.45 this year. Not bad for a guy a team was trying to dump after picking up Cristobal Huet during the summer.
On the other side of the ice, the Red Wings are a virtual fantasy hockey team in their own right. Winning the Stanley Cup over the Penguins was enough for Detroit, so they went and took their big trade acquisition in winger Marian Hossa and backup netminder Ty Conklin. Both skaters have done great since coming to the Motor City; Hossa is second in scoring with 34 points (17 G-17 A) and Conklin is 12-5-1 with a GAA of 2.43.
While Conklin has been a part of all three outdoor games the NHL has held, it will be Chris Osgood between the pipes for Detroit. Osgood, a two-time Jennings Trophy winner, has gone 12-2-4 this season with a 3.19 GAA. Decent numbers, but he’s only stopping 87.6 percent of the shots on goal he has faced this year.
Now you’re not dealing with a normal game here as both clubs must contend with the elements. Current forecast show gametime temperature will be in the low 30s with snow showers during the game. Now that won’t do very much to the sides being able to skate, but it will make players sitting targets as they can’t make clean passes on the ice as snow accumulates during the period.
The temps will definitely play a factor with any players that are already nursing injuries. Kane is a perfect example after taking a nice, clean hit from the Wings’ Dan Cleary. He left the game for a little bit with what he feared was an ankle injury, but still finished Tuesday’s game.
As far as what this game means to both teams, it’s fairly important. Detroit sits atop of the Central Division with 53 points and the Blackhawks are six points behind.
This contest could have had been set up for Chicago to share the lead in the Central, but the Wings blanked them 4-0 at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday as $1.50 home favorites. The four goals fell well ‘under’ the closing total of six.
Home teams haven’t held up too well in the Winter Classic as they’ve lost both outdoor meetings thus far. However, visiting squads in this head-to-head matchup have won just once in the last five contests.
You can catch this fixture on NBC’s national broadcast at 1:00 p.m.
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