Blues Need Another Win Over Wings

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This evening shapes up to be a possible determining date in terms of whether or not the Blues will have a shot at making this year's playoffs or becoming sellers at the March 3rd trade deadline (2 PM Central).

Davis Payne's team is seven points back of Nashville for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Predators do have two games in hand over the Note and lead the Red Wings by two points in the standings. By evening's end the Blues could be anywhere from five-to-nine points out of a potential postseason spot with 22 to play.

The Note will host Detroit in the fifth-of-six scheduled meetings in the regular season. The Red Wings have dropped three of the first four. This will be Detroit's second and last regular season appearance in St. Louis for the 2009-2010 campaign.

Mike Babcock's team earned a 4-3 shootout victory on November 28th at Scottrade Center. The Note swept a pair from their arch-rivals, 4-3 and 5-3, to start the season in Sweden. The Blues also shutout the Wings, 1-0 on December 9th at Joe Louis Arena.

Detroit will get a lift tonight as forward Johan Franzen will return from a four-month absence due to an ACL injury back in October. Jimmy Howard will start in goal seeking his 21st win.

The Blues have dropped three-straight heading into tonight's 7:00 start (TV on Versus) while the Red Wings are wrapping a five-game road trip after losing their last two and three of the previous four.

TPC