The Flames are new, but race just the same

Detroit

There's no overstating the importance of tonight's game against Calgary.

The Flames are ninth in the West with 73 points, one point behind the Wings.

"It's going to be a big game for them as well," captain Nick Lidstrom said.

"They're going to be excited and fired up to play against us. I'm sure they're following the standings just as much as we do. It's going to be a game where you have to bring your best."

The Flames have remade their team since they last played the Wings on Nov. 27. Before the Olympics, they traded Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom and prospect Keith Aulie to the Maple Leafs for Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers, Matt Stajan and Ian White. They then sent Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust to the Rangers for Christopher Higgins and Ales Kotalik.

After the break, they added Vesa Toskala from the Ducks , and Steve Staios from the Oilers.

"A little bit different look for them but we know that the players that they added all bring different things to their team and they seem to be playing well, seem to be jelling well," Lidstrom said. "It's something you have to be ready for."

The Wings weren't ready for all the injuries they had this season and they're not accustomed to being in a position to have to fight to make the playoffs.

But they all say they're focused on that one goal.

"We want to be in the playoffs," Kris Draper said. "The key thing is we want to be there, one of the top eight teams to get in that mix, and then we feel we can do some good things.

"We're going to be a confident group. There's no reason why we shouldn't. But the most important thing, obviously, is to win hockey games, get in the playoffs and once you get in the playoffs, that's when you want to be playing your best hockey."

Bertuzzi, Datsyuk to play

Todd Bertuzzi and Pavel Datsyuk did not practice Monday because of a charley horse and illness, respectively, but both are expected to play tonight.

The only lineup change planned is defenseman Jonathan Ericsson replacing Brett Lebda .

Coach Mike Babcock said having veteran Andreas Lilja back already has helped.

"His ability to talk to the young guys has made a huge difference," Babcock said. "Lebs played better and so will E. E will go back in. We're just going to keep rotating those guys. I don't know if it's game in, game out, or two and two, but that's what we plan on doing at this point."

Jimmy Howard will start in goal.

Head hits still an issue

The general managers are meeting in Boca Raton, Fla., this week and will likely address the issue of hits to the head.

On Sunday, Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke hit Boston's Marc Savard in the head with his shoulder, forcing Savard to leave on a stretcher. He has a concussion.

"I thought (Sidney ) Crosby said it best so I'm going to quote him," Babcock said.

"We've been talking about it and talking about it. It's time we make a decision about it."

By the numbers

1: Ranking for the Wings in short-handed goals allowed (1)

3: Short-handed goals scored by Darren Helm

9: Ranking for Nick Lidstrom among defensemen in scoring (8 goals, 32 assists)

Rookie goaltender comparison

 In 2005-06, Buffalo's Ryan Miller (Michigan State) was 25 years old and played in his first full NHL season.

 This season, Jimmy Howard is 25 (26 on March 26) and playing in his first full NHL season.

Flames at Red Wings

Faceoff: 7 tonight, Joe Louis Arena, Detroit

TV/radio: FSD/WXYT 97.1

Outlook: The Flames have at least a .500 record against every division except the Central. The Flames are 6-9-2 against the Central. However, they have the eighth-best road record at 16-9-6. The Wings have the 17th-ranked home record at 17-9-5.

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