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Detroit has 5 of 6 points to start the 4 game home stand. Tonight will see if the Red Wings can add to their standings with the Calgary Flames coming to town to close out this 4 game home set.

The Flames have only played 2 games so far, and are looking for their first win of the season. Losing 3-2 in OT to Anaheim and 5-2 to Edmonton, the team just hasn’t had the chance to get going. This is not a group you want to meet up with when they’re in a bad mood for one reason: Tkachuk. I love watching this player as long as it’s not against Detroit. He’s a bit like a hemorrhoid- a massive pain in the butt that grows on you. His high stick puck stop to avoid a delay of game was as funny as it gets (and yet the refs weren’t laughing).

My goal tonight is TTAT - Try to Avoid Tkachuk. He can get under your skin and cause you to lose your focus. Sitting at just 1 assist on the season, the sandpaper assassin will want to do everything he can to start to reverse his own fortunes and those of his teammates. Witkowski lost his cool and faced a lengthy suspension in one of the last contests (luckily he’s in Grand Rapids). Larkin and Bertuzzi could easily be drawn into taking a penalty if they’re not focused.

If Greiss is back in net tonight, it’s for good reason. He’s given up 2 goals in 2 starts and faced 64 shots. At some point Nedeljkovic needs to get back in. Opening night wasn’t an ideal situation for any new goaltender to face, and I don’t put the onus all on his shoulders for that.

My favorite Flame - Elias Lindholm. I love his shot. He currently leads the team with 2 goals, and could have a big night if things don’t go well for Detroit.

I look back to the last game as almost ideal for tonight’s matchup. Limit shots on goal, carry the play. Stay out of the box, you don’t want to give this flames team any momentum right now. With such a small sample size on both sides, it’s tough to rely on the available data. Detroit leads in essentially every major positive category. I don’t think that will be the case when we see Calgary for the 2nd time in March (thankfully only 2 matchups). Hopefully Detroit can wrap up the home stand with a victory as they get ready to hit the road.

Read my previous posts:

Edvinsson logs 25:18

Detroit played their best game of the season against CBJ.

Wings vs Columbus pregame

Larkin back at Practice

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