NHL Game Showdown Picks and Tips: Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Blackhawks

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Frank Martin

The league-leading Detroit Red Wings have won an NHL-record 23 straight at home, but have been average on the road, a fact that bodes well for the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

The Red Wings are only 15-15-1 away from home and have lost two straight and three of five. All-Star Jimmy Howard, who is tied for the league lead in wins, is expected to start after missing eight games with a broken finger.

- Detroit Red Wings @ Chicago Blackhawks
When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN2, FS Detroit (Red Wings), CS Chicago (Blackhawks)

The Blackhawks have opened as 115-moneyline favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NHL Hockey Odds.

Detroit Red Wings (41-17-2): Ty Conklin was placed on waivers Monday and will be assigned to Grand Rapids of the AHL if he goes unclaimed. "I think Ty Conklin needs to play," Detroit general manager Ken Holland said. "He hasn't really got it going. His starts have been sporadic and I think his play has probably been sporadic. He's played some good games and played some games not so good." The 35-year-old Conklin is 3-5-0 with one shutout and a 3.40 goals against average. Joey MacDonald's performance with Howard sidelined led to Conklin's exit. MacDonald has gone 6-1-1 with a 1.66 goals against average while filling in. Dan Cleary is hoping to return to the lineup Tuesday after having fluid drained from his knee twice last week. Detroit completed a 6-0-0 homestand with a victory over San Jose on Sunday.

Chicago Blackhawks (32-21-7): Chicago enters with a three-game winning streak that has followed a nine-game slide, and has turned things around despite its struggles on the power play. Chicago has not scored with the man advantage since Jan. 24 against Nashville, going 0 for 29 over its last 10 games. "Maybe we're thinking too much," Patrick Kane said. "It comes down to work and getting the puck back. It's kind of unacceptable to be where we are with the skill we have. I'm sure we'll turn it around soon." The Blackhawks are 19th in the league on the power play with a 16.4 percent success rate. Chicago has won six of seven at home.

1. Detroit's defense corps leads the NHL with 35 goals. Niklas Kronwall is tied for second among blueliners with 12 tallies.

2. All three previous meetings between the Central Division rivals have been 3-2 decisions, with the Red Wings winning two - both in overtime.

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chicago blackhawks - dan cleary - detroit red wings - jimmy howard - joey macdonald - niklas kronwall - patrick kane - ty conklin - united center