It's a massive game in the chase for the NHL Playoffs tonight as the Phoenix Coyotes take on the Detroit Red Wings. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on NBC Sports Network. Currently the odds for the game have the Red Wings favored by a slight margin.

The Detroit Red Wings have qualified for the post season 21 consecutive seasons, but this year that is in serious trouble. Currently the Red Wings are in the ninth spot in the Western Conference and they have just four games left in their regular season. Those games will be played against the Coyotes (obviously), the LA Kings, the Nashville Predators and the Dallas Stars. The Predators have already been eliminated from the playoffs while Detroit, Phoenix and Dallas are all fighting for that last spot in the West.

Heading into tonight's games the Wings, Stars and Coyotes all trail Columbus by at least three points. Detroit's run of 21 straight playoff appearances is in serious trouble.

Yet in tonight's game the Wings will have a big advantage — they're playing at home. It hasn't been a typical Detroit season at Joe Louis Arena, sporting a record of just 10-7-4. Yet, the Coyotes are just 6-9-7 in road games this season. The Coyotes haven't won in Detroit in more than two years.

In the last 10 games Phoenix has bee playing a bit better, though. The Coyotes have gone 5-2-3 while the Red Wings have struggled to go 3-4-3.

Mike Smith is a very solid goalie for the Coyotes but has been bothered by some nagging injuries this season. Yet, he is reported to be on track to play in the team's final four games. Jimmy Howard just got a big contract extension but a lot of Red Wings faithful are concerned about his play this past season. He needs to have a big game tonight for Detroit.

Look for the Red Wings to take control of this game and put a lot of pressure on Phoenix. Henrik Zetterberg has expressed a big concern for the squad to win this game and Pavel Datsyuk's 57 career points versus Phoenix are his most against any opponent outside the Central Division and fourth-most against any team.

Free Pick: Red Wings

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