Detroit, MI (My Sportsbook) - It will be a Central Division showdown at Joe Louis Arena tonight when the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings host the St. Louis Blues.

Detroit, with 86 points, enters the night's action with a lead of two over St. Louis, and the Red Wings hold a game in hand. Dave Lewis' club has won seven straight, and 10 of its last 11 contests.

On Wednesday the Wings posted a 3-2 victory over the upstart Tampa Bay Lightning, as Nicklas Lidstrom and Mathieu Dandenault provided a 2-0 first- period lead to set the tone. Brendan Shanahan added a goal and an assist, while Curtis Joseph made 33 saves.

Sophomore Pavel Datsyuk contributed two assists and extended his points streak to four games (2g, 9a). He has nine goals and 25 assists in 48 games this season.

There are some injury problems in the Red Wings camp, as Chris Chelios (knee) and Sergei Fedorov (sore back) have missed the last two games. Chelios said Thursday that he expects to play this evening, while Fedorov said he hopes to go.

Brett Hull was held without a goal Wednesday and remains one tally shy of tying Mike Gartner for fifth place on the NHL's all-time list (708). The Golden Brett is also one assist away from 600.

Detroit, which has won five straight in Motown, will kick off a three-game road trip Sunday in Anaheim.

St. Louis, meanwhile, has won its last four games, including Thursday's 6-3 pounding of visiting Phoenix. Scott Mellanby, who had never recorded a hat trick during his 18-year career, posted four power-play goals to spearhead the effort. Cory Stillman added a goal and two assists, while Pavol Demitra chipped in three helpers.

The Blues will receive some reinforcement to go with their momentum tonight, as left wing Keith Tkachuk is slated to return from a four-game suspension that stemmed from a cross-check on Minnesota's Wes Walz on February 23. Tkachuk is tied with Demitra for the club lead at 28 goals.

Rookie Curtis Sanford made 16 saves in his fourth consecutive start in place of the injured Brent Johnson (groin) Thursday. Sanford, who has allowed just five goals in those four outings, will likely get the nod again tonight and receive the biggest test of his young NHL career.

On the milestone watch, defenseman Al MacInnis is set to appear in his 1,400th NHL game. He will become the 20th player in league history to reach the plateau.

St. Louis, which has lost two straight road tilts, opens a four-game swing tonight. The Blues will visit San Jose on Tuesday.

troit is 2-0 against St. Louis this season, and 9-2-3 in the last 14 Detroit is 2-0 against St. Louis this season, and 9-2-3 in the last 14 clashes. The Blues have lost in their last two trips to The Joe.