It’s been nine months since the Pittsburgh Penguins came to Detroit and beat the Red Wings to hoist the Stanley Cup for the third time in franchise history. This season, only one of these perennial powers is a lock to return to the playoffs. The Red Wings look to further solidify their postseason hopes with a third consecutive home victory Monday night when the Penguins return to Joe Louis Arena. Just making the playoffs, let alone a potential third straight Stanley Cup finals meeting with Pittsburgh, will be on the minds’ of the Detroit players in this contest. After winning the Stanley Cup in 2008 then losing 2-1 to Pittsburgh at home in Game 7 in June, Detroit is flirting with missing the playoffs for the first time since 1989-90. With 11 games left, the Red Wings hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, two points ahead of Calgary.
Detroit has played well of late, going 8-2-1 since losing four in a row. The Red Wings concluded a 2-0-1 road swing with a 4-3 overtime win at Vancouver on Saturday. Henrik Zetterberg scored as the overtime buzzer sounded Saturday and the Red Wings rallied from an early two-goal deficit to remain in playoff position despite playing without injured forwards Dan Cleary and Patrick Eaves. It’s uncertain if both will be ready for this contest. The Red Wings will need that kind of effort to continue against the Penguins, who hold a two-point lead over New Jersey in the Atlantic Division and look to maintain second place in the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh beat Detroit 2-1 in a shootout at home Jan. 31.
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