The Detroit Red Wings (36-23-7) are heading into a road game against the Dallas Stars (41-14-10). The Red Wings are in the first wildcard position in the Eastern Conference. They are two points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets who are the top team below the Eastern Conference wildcard cut line. The Stars are in second place in the Central Division.
Where:Â American Airlines Arena
When: 8 p.m. ET
TV/Radio: FanDuel Sports Network/97.1 FM
Odds:Â Detroit (+1.5, -175), Dallas (-1.5, +145), DRAFTKINGS
Hot: Patrick Kane has a four-game points streak with a goal, four assists and 13 shots on goal in his past three games.
Not:Â The Red Wings in general, starting this month 2-4 after trying not to talk about their March swoons over the past couple of years.
Spotlight: Kane’s linemate Alex DeBrincat also has five points in his past four games.
Story: John Gibson will start tonight. . . The Red Wings called up John Leonard from the Grand Rapids Griffins on an emergency basis. . . Because of injuries, the Red Wings may play 11 forwards and seven defensemen tonight. . . David Perron, acquired last week from Ottawa may be ready to play in the upcoming week. . . The Red Wings are 5-12 in their last 16 games without Dylan Larkin. . .The Red Wings are 18-12-4 on the road. . . Detroit is 2-4 in March. Injuries: David Perron (lower body), Dylan Larkin (lower body), Andrew Copp (lower body), Michael Rasmussen (undisclosed), Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (undisclosed)
Detroit Projected Lines
Alex DeBrincat — J.T. Compher — Patrick Kane
Emmitt Finnie — Marco Kasper — Lucas Raymond
James van Riemsdyk — Sheldon Dries — Dominik Shine
John Leonard — Mason Appleton
Defense Pairings
Simon Edvinsson — Moritz Seider
Ben Chiarot — Justin Faulk
Albert Johansson — Jacob Bernard-Docker
Travis Hamonic
Goalies
John Gibson (Cam Talbot backing up)
Sub: Axel Sandin-Pellikka
Dallas Stars
Story: The Stars have won 13 of their last 14. They are avering 4.3 goals per game in that stretch . .Nathan Bastian is back in after being a healthy scratch for two games. . .The Stars acquired defensive Tyler Myers from Vancouver after he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause to come to Detroit. . . Injuries: Radek Faksa (lower body), Roope Hintz (lower body), Mikko Rantanen (lower body), Tyler Seguin (ACL)
Projected Lines
Jason Robertson — Wyatt Johnston — Mavrik Bourque
Sam Steel — Matt Duchene — Jamie Benn
Michael Bunting — Justin Hryckowian — Nathan Bastian
Oskar Back — Arttu Hyry — Colin Blackwell
Defense Pairings
Esa Lindell — Miro Heiskanen
Thomas Harley — Nils Lundkvist
Tyler Myers — Lian Bichsel
Goalies
Jake Oettinger (Casey DeSmith backing-up)