RED WINGS (26-33-11) at DUCKS (35-24-12) 10 p.m. ET; SN1, FS-W, FS-D, NHL.TV
Anaheim, which ended a three-game losing streak with a 3-0 win against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, is 5-4-1 in its past 10 games. The Red Wings are on an eight-game losing streak (0-7-1). They haven't lost nine in a row since Feb. 8-28, 1986. Detroit is 17 points behind the New Jersey Devils for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
Players to watch
Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen returned from a three-game absence (upper-body injury) and had an assist in a 4-1 loss at the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. Ducks defenseman Brandon Montour scored for the first time in 50 games on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. He has three points (two goals, one assist) in the past two games.
They said it
"We've got lots of character in our room, there's no question of that. We fought our tails off for a long time here, haven't had results. That's a hard thing. Our guys keep coming and playing. I think that speaks to the leadership in this room." -- Detroit coach Jeff Blashill "These types of games are always do or die, and the standings are so close. One point means so much and two points means so much, so you have to have them all." -- Ducks forward Jason Chimera
Howard is expected to start after backing up Coreau on Thursday.. … The Ducks announced Bieksa will undergo surgery on Friday to remove scar tissue from his left hand. The defenseman is expected to be out 2-5 weeks. Holzer was recalled from San Diego of the American Hockey League.
Stat pack
Nyquist has three points (two goals, one assist) in the past two games. ... The Ducks have killed 26 consecutive penalties at home.
