The Detroit Red Wings have reached 101 points through 75 games. The Nashville Predators have reached 103 points in their 76 games. The two teams are in position for what will likely be a photo finish in the Central Division, as both shift into high gear for the playoffs and the number one spot. Not to be discounted, the Anaheim Ducks are waiting with 100 points of their own in the Pacific Division should both of the heavyweights from the Central falter. Most recently, the Red Wings lost in a shootout to the Blues, despite a video review that appeared as though the Wings had scored the tying goal in the shootout. The Wings also lost Brett Lebda, who was taken off the ice on a stretcher in several minutes into the game after a hit into the boards by Ville Nieminen. Nieminen received a major penalty for boarding in addition to a game misconduct, however was not suspended by the league. Lebda suffered a concussion.
Other News:
- The NHL will have a new ordering system for its draft. While the 14 teams that did not make the postseason will still be placed in the opposite order of their points from the regular season, the remainder of the order will now be determined by playoff success. Teams knocked out in the first round pick after the lottery teams, and so on. Wings GM Ken Holland proposed the system, and had been pushing for it for some time. [Behind the Jersey]
- Last Thursday, the Red Wings reached the 100 point plateau with a shootout loss to the Blue Jackets, the seventh straight season in which the club has reached the century mark. Todd Bertuzzi also made his debut in a Red Wings uniform, but was held pointless; in addition, Bertuzzi also missed on a shootout attempt. Former Red Wing Sergei Federov netted the winning goal in the third extra frame of shootout play. [ESPN]
- The Wings inked forward Tomas Kopecky to a two-year contract. The 24-year-old played in 26 games earlier in the year before breaking his collarbone in a game against Chicago back in the middle of December. [ESPN]
