Columbus, OH (My Sportsbook) - The Detroit Red Wings hope to move atop the Western Conference tonight when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
With 108 points and a game in hand, Detroit trails Dallas by just one in the standings. The Stars are idle tonight and will finish the regular season on Sunday against Nashville.
The Wings also remain in the Presidents' Trophy hunt, albeit by a thin string. They sit three behind the NHL-leading Ottawa Senators, and anything less than a victory by Detroit this evening would lock up the Presidents' for the Sens.
The Red Wings have won three straight games, and 10 of their last 12. On Thursday they posted a 5-2 home victory over the NY Islanders, as Sergei Fedorov scored two goals to lead the charge. Kris Draper, Mathieu Schneider and Luc Robitaille also scored for Detroit, while Curtis Joseph made 21 saves.
Fedorov scored his 34th and 35th goals of the season, leaving him one behind Brett Hull for the team lead. Fedorov already paces the Red Wings with 45 assists and 80 points.
Hull was held off the scoresheet and remains just two goals shy of tying Phil Esposito for fourth place on the NHL's all-time list (717).
Detroit, which has won five of its last seven on the road, will receive its final playoff tune-up Sunday in Chicago.
Columbus, meanwhile, has won three of its last five games, including Wednesday's 3-0 triumph over visiting Minnesota. Marc Denis made 27 saves for his franchise-record fifth shutout of the season as the Jackets rebounded nicely from Tuesday's 4-0 pounding in Philadelphia. Mike Sillinger, Geoff Sanderson and Rick Nash all scored first-period goals for Columbus, which had managed a mere 10 shots against the Flyers.
Nash scored his 17th goal of the season, which is fourth among NHL rookies. He ranks fourth in points as well, with 37.
Columbus, which has won three of its last four on home ice, will conclude its third season Sunday in Minnesota.
Detroit has swept four games from Columbus this campaign, and won five straight meetings overall. The Red Wings have won 12 of the 14 all-time clashes, including six of the seven staged in Ohio.
