The Detroit Red Wings have lost two straight and are only 5-3-2 in their last 10 games. The Nashville Predators, on the other hand, have won eight of their last 10, giving them 94 points on the season. Detroit has 98 points, meaning today's game in Nashville will play a big part in what's at stake in the final week of the season.
With a regulation win today, the Red Wings would move six points ahead of the Predators. After today's game, Detroit will have four games left, whereas Nashville will have only three games to go. This means the Red Wings can put away the Predators as far as the division race goes with a regulation win today. They also can clinch a playoff spot by picking up only one point.
A loss would make the final week of the regular season quite interesting. If it comes in regulation, the Predators would move only two points back of the Red Wings. As mentioned, the Predators will have three games left and the Red Wings four after today. It would still obviously be Detroit's division to lose no matter what happens this afternoon, but a loss to Nashville would open the door for the Predators to steal the division title depending on how the final week of the season goes.
The puck is just about to drop in Nashville, where Jimmy Howard will be in net for the first time in a week for the Red Wings. He is returning after injuring his shoulder against Toronto last Saturday.