Detroit, MI (My Sportsbook) - The Chicago Blackhawks shoot for their second victory in as many nights this evening when they skate into Detroit to face off with the defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings in the opener of a home- and-home set at Joe Louis Arena.

Jocelyn Thibault celebrated his 28th birthday in style and needed to make just 17 saves, to post his NHL-best sixth shutout of the season, and lead Chicago to a 2-0 win over Nashville on Sunday.

Eric Daze and Theo Fleury scored for the Blackhawks, who stopped a four-game (0-0-2-2) winless skid. Fleury also added an assist, while Alex Zhamnov assisted on both goals. Zhamnov has nine assists in his past six games.

The victory allowed Chicago to extend its stretch without a regulation loss to 12 games (6-0-4-2).

Defenseman Phil Housley missed the game because of the flu, while fellow rearguard Jon Klemm missed his 10th game due to an injured left hand. Both are questionable for tonight's tilt.

Chicago, which trails the front-running Red Wings by four points in the Central Division, will return home for a pair of games following Monday's game. Away from home this season the Blackhawks are 7-8-5-1, but are 4-0-3-1 in their last eight on opposition ice.

The Blackhawks have a record of 48-0-8-1 in their last 57 games when they lead after two periods.

The Red Wings, meanwhile, come into Monday's division clash on the heels of a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.

Henrik Zetterberg and Brett Hull notched the goals for Detroit, while Curtis Joseph made 26 saves in net. The Red Wings lost for just the third time in their last 14 games overall (8-3-3).

Hull has scored five goals in the last four games and is three short of 700 for his career.

The Red Wings, who are 14-4-3-1 at home this season, are 4-1-1 in their last six on home ice. Detroit will embark on a brief two-game road trip following the game.

Chicago, which has split two meetings with the Red Wings this season, is unbeaten in their last nine trips to the Motor City (6-0-3) and is 6-4-4 in their last 14 visits to Joe Louis Arena. The last time the Blackhawks lost to the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena was back on April 2, 1999, when they dropped a 5-3 decision.