Music: {allcanada} RED WINGS (20-9-9) at CANUCKS (21-12-3)

Friday, January 2, 2015

{allcanada} RED WINGS (20-9-9) at CANUCKS (21-12-3)

The Godfather Part II: The Coppola Restoration

Saturday, January 3, 2015

10:00 PM ET

RED WINGS (20-9-9) at CANUCKS (21-12-3)

TV: CBC, FS-D

Season series: The Detroit Red Wings benefited by reuniting forwards Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg on the top line in the first game against the Vancouver Canucks. Datsyuk scored two goals and Zetterberg extended his point streak to four games with two assists in a 5-3 win. Linden Vey led Vancouver with two goals and an assist. The game was delayed 35 minutes after power was lost at Joe Louis Arena.

Red Wings team scope: This game starts the first of two six-game road trips for Detroit, which defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-1 on Wednesday. Defenseman Jakub Kindl (elbow) practiced Friday but isn't eligible to come off injured reserve until Sunday. Coach Mike Babcock said goalie Jimmy Howard will start, but the line combinations aren't settled. Tomas Tatar moved to left wing with Datsyuk at practice, and Zetterberg was on the second line at left wing. Gustav Nyquist moved from right wing on the third line to the second line.

Canucks team scope: A 3-2 loss Thursday at home to the Los Angeles Kings ended a string of four games with at least a point for Vancouver, which is 3-1-1 in the past five. According to reports from practice Friday, forward Zack Kassian will return to the lineup; he hasn't played since Nov. 25. A healthy scratch Thursday, Kassian skated on the third line in practice. If he returns, Vey likely will be a healthy scratch for the first time since Kassian was injured. Multiple reports Friday said the Canucks put veteran forward Tom Sestito on waivers.

Team Stats