Preview: Can We FINALLY Start the Season, For Real?

Detroit (5-1-1) VS Phoenix (2-3-3)

What the heck is hockey...?

Man, it's hard to remember when you only see your team play twice in eleven days, and it's supposedly the regular season.

Anyway, now that this farce is behind us, the Red Wings can look to try and build some momentum as they play host to the Phoenix Coyotes, a team we've seen plenty of in the last while. Already having played them once in the regular season this year after going 7 games with them in last year's playoffs, the Wings will have a chance to continue their success against the Coyotes. Helping in that effort tonight will be now-healthy Brad Stuart, who was suffering from an illness that kept him out of Wednesday practice. Early success could mean a lot to Detroit as they have at least 1-2 games in hand on most of the Western Conference, the only nice thing about the 2-week in-season holiday the Red Wings received.

Let's do a quick Geek's Winning Formula for tonight's affair:

1.) Make Use of the Rest - Can't be any complaining tonight about being tired, as the Wings have played something like 4 games in 2 weeks. I hope to see a full game's effort from everyone tonight so as to shake the rust off.

2.) Third Line Success - Coach Babcock has made it clear he's unhappy with the lack of production from the 3rd line, so I expect to see those shifts to be played hard. Guys like Justin Abdelkader are chomping at the bit to get out there and contribute, and if Babs thinks there's slack needing picked up, he won't waste time making a change.

3.) (IMPROMPTU) Stay Cool In Net - We literally just received the news over Twitter as I am writing this that it seems Jimmy Howard may be injured. Ansar Khan originally slated Howard to start tonight's match, but the Red Wings' official site has updated with news that G Joey MacDonald has been recalled to backup starting goalie Chris Osgood. The boys need to simply focus on the game and let whatever this is work itself out.

Well, not how I wanted to leave things while heading to work. Can't wait to hear how this plays out.

Wish for the best, Wingnuts! Let's Go Red Wings!!