DETROIT -- Coming off a shutout against Anaheim, it seemed like a good bet that Dominik Hasek would start in goal tonight for the Detroit Red Wings in Nashville, in a game that will have a huge impact on the Central Division title and top playoff seeding in the Western Conference.
Instead, coach Mike Babcock said after practice Wednesday that Chris Osgood will start against the Predators and Hasek will play Friday at home against Dallas.
Why Osgood in Nashville? "Because he's gotten points every time he's gone in there,'' Babcock said. "Originally, Dom was playing both these games and then he got hurt (bruised thigh earlier this month). We just thought, why do something crazy at this time when things have gone well. The way Ozzie's played, it's allowed him to play more, but it's also allowed Dom to be fresher.''
Osgood has victories in his last two starts against Nashville.
"I enjoy playing games against good teams,'' Osgood said. "If anything, it gets me ready in case I'm needed when the playoffs start, so I'm not going to jump in where I haven't played against any of the teams in the playoffs.''
Babcock has elected not to start Hasek in any of the four games in Nashville. He said Hasek will play in three of the final four games of the regular season.
"I wasn't disappointed,'' Hasek said. "I think Mike made his decision because I played the last two road games, so he wanted to use Ozzie for the road game.''
Tonight is a virtual must-win situation for the Wings in order to finish first. A regulation victory by the Predators would give them a four-point lead in the standings and would likely secure the first tie-breaker with 50 wins, four more than Detroit.
"If we want to challenge them for our division, we have to win (tonight),'' Wings center Kris Draper said. "It's exciting to be able to go into their building and play with something on the line. The last couple of years, we've been in a situation where a lot of games down the stretch didn't mean that much. These games, against Nashville and Dallas, are big games.''
Todd Bertuzzi is looking forward to his first road game as a Wing, and he's not concerned that the team has scored only six goals in its last five games -- four of them by Pavel Datsyuk.
"We're more than capable of getting the goals,'' Bertuzzi said. "When you play the Anaheims, the Nashvilles, there's not going to be those 5-4 games, they're going to be 1-0, 2-1. It's about preparing ourselves for the playoffs. The goals will come.''
Defenseman Brett Lebda (concussion) practiced Wednesday and will take part in the pregame skate tonight before it's determined whether he'll play. "I'm cleared to do anything as long as I feel good,'' Lebda said. "I haven't really felt the affects of what they say is a concussion. I haven't had headaches or dizziness or felt nauseous.''
The biggest problem is the swelling from the cut on his forehead.
"They cut a little slot into (his helmet) where the stitches can rest without rubbing,'' Lebda said.
Henrik Zetterberg (inflamed disc) participated in his first full practice with the team in more than a month, but Babcock said he doesn't know when the star center will return.
For Nashville, forwards Steve Sullivan (back), Scott Hartnell (foot), Martin Erat (knee) and Scott Nichol (thumb) are out and defenseman Kimmo Timonen (upper body) is probable. Forward Jordin Tootoo will be serving the last game of his five-game suspension for punching Dallas' Stephane Robidas in the face.
Instead, coach Mike Babcock said after practice Wednesday that Chris Osgood will start against the Predators and Hasek will play Friday at home against Dallas.
Why Osgood in Nashville? "Because he's gotten points every time he's gone in there,'' Babcock said. "Originally, Dom was playing both these games and then he got hurt (bruised thigh earlier this month). We just thought, why do something crazy at this time when things have gone well. The way Ozzie's played, it's allowed him to play more, but it's also allowed Dom to be fresher.''
Osgood has victories in his last two starts against Nashville.
"I enjoy playing games against good teams,'' Osgood said. "If anything, it gets me ready in case I'm needed when the playoffs start, so I'm not going to jump in where I haven't played against any of the teams in the playoffs.''
Babcock has elected not to start Hasek in any of the four games in Nashville. He said Hasek will play in three of the final four games of the regular season.
"I wasn't disappointed,'' Hasek said. "I think Mike made his decision because I played the last two road games, so he wanted to use Ozzie for the road game.''
Tonight is a virtual must-win situation for the Wings in order to finish first. A regulation victory by the Predators would give them a four-point lead in the standings and would likely secure the first tie-breaker with 50 wins, four more than Detroit.
"If we want to challenge them for our division, we have to win (tonight),'' Wings center Kris Draper said. "It's exciting to be able to go into their building and play with something on the line. The last couple of years, we've been in a situation where a lot of games down the stretch didn't mean that much. These games, against Nashville and Dallas, are big games.''
Todd Bertuzzi is looking forward to his first road game as a Wing, and he's not concerned that the team has scored only six goals in its last five games -- four of them by Pavel Datsyuk.
"We're more than capable of getting the goals,'' Bertuzzi said. "When you play the Anaheims, the Nashvilles, there's not going to be those 5-4 games, they're going to be 1-0, 2-1. It's about preparing ourselves for the playoffs. The goals will come.''
Defenseman Brett Lebda (concussion) practiced Wednesday and will take part in the pregame skate tonight before it's determined whether he'll play. "I'm cleared to do anything as long as I feel good,'' Lebda said. "I haven't really felt the affects of what they say is a concussion. I haven't had headaches or dizziness or felt nauseous.''
The biggest problem is the swelling from the cut on his forehead.
"They cut a little slot into (his helmet) where the stitches can rest without rubbing,'' Lebda said.
Henrik Zetterberg (inflamed disc) participated in his first full practice with the team in more than a month, but Babcock said he doesn't know when the star center will return.
For Nashville, forwards Steve Sullivan (back), Scott Hartnell (foot), Martin Erat (knee) and Scott Nichol (thumb) are out and defenseman Kimmo Timonen (upper body) is probable. Forward Jordin Tootoo will be serving the last game of his five-game suspension for punching Dallas' Stephane Robidas in the face.
