Osgood to get first start since Jan. 27 on Sunday

[IE]

Goalie Jimmy Howard will make his 25th straight start for the Red Wings on Saturday against the Predators, but will rest Sunday against the Flyers, coach Mike Babcock said Friday.

Chris Osgood will see his first action since taking over for Howard in the second period of the Wings' 6-3 loss to Vancouver on March 3. Osgood's last start was Jan. 27 in a 5-2 loss to the Wild.

"Ozzie will play against Philly," Babcock said. "I'll try to get him in two of the last four games."


That second game could be Wednesday, when the Wings host the Blue Jackets, or Friday at Columbus. The regular-season finale is April 11 at Chicago.

"I haven't played for a while, but I feel real good," Osgood said. "I'm just going to play, just get some games in and get some rust off."

Howard has 34 victories this season and his consecutive-starts streak is the longest since Tim Cheveldae's 29 in 1991-92.

 

[IE]

Wings have playoff seed on the line against Predators


Detroit -- With the Red Wings' recent surge -- 10 victories in their last 11 games -- they've jumped from ninth place to sixth and virtually secured a playoff spot, taking some pressure off.

But today's matchup against the Nashville Predators looms large in playoff positioning. The Predators (96 points) lead the Wings by one point for the fifth seed in the Western Conference, and have two games remaining after today. The Wings have four remaining after today, including three on the road and two against the Blue Jackets, whom the Wings beat Thursday, 3-2.

Coach Mike Babcock downplayed the importance of today's matchup.


"It's important because it's the game we're playing. It's the same as 82 other times," Babcock said. The Predators are playing as well as the Wings, posting a 7-2-1 mark in their last 10 games, including a 3-2, come-from-behind victory over the Blues on Thursday.

In recent years, the end of the regular season hasn't been very dramatic for the Wings. But because of injuries this season, the Wings were in jeopardy of not making the playoffs for the first time in 19 seasons -- that is, until their 12-2-1 record in March.

"We haven't had a lot of these at this time of year, where these games mean so much. It's exciting for us and we have a good thing going," center Kris Draper said. "We just want to get better, get stronger and keep this thing going."
Break for Howard

Babcock said goalie Jimmy Howard will start today -- his 25th straight -- but will rest for Sunday's game against the Flyers.

Chris Osgood will see his first action since taking over for Howard in the second period of the Wings' 6-3 loss to the Canucks on March 3. Osgood's last start was Jan. 27 in a 5-2 loss to the Wild.




Injuries

Defenseman Brad Stuart didn't skate in Friday's practice, but said he will play today.

Babcock also said Dan Cleary (groin) will not play against the Predators. Cleary could return Sunday against the Flyers.