Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk, left, of Russia, and Calgary Flames center Daymond Langkow battle for the puck in the first period of a NHL hockey game in Detroit, Tuesday, March 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Detroit Red Wings understand every game is critical while trying to make the playoffs. Especially one against a team like the Calgary Flames, who are looking to do the same.
Trying for a third consecutive victory, the visiting Red Wings have a chance to avenge their latest loss as they face the Flames for the second time in seven days Monday night.
Having not missed the playoffs since the 1989-90 season, Detroit (33-23-12) is doing all it can to prevent the end of that streak. The Red Wings have won four of five and currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, one point ahead of ninth-place Calgary.
It was the Flames (34-25-9), however, who rallied to score three unanswered goals in the third period to hand Detroit its most recent loss, 4-2 at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday. The two-time defending conference champions don't have to wait long for a shot at avenging that defeat as they open a three-game western Canadian trip Monday in Calgary.
"We owe Calgary after they embarrassed us in our own barn in the third period,'' said Detroit's Jimmy Howard, who made 28 saves in that last meeting but fell to 0-2-0 with a 3.06 goals-against average versus the Flames. "We'll be ready.''
The Red Wings should be after a 3-2 overtime home win over Buffalo on Saturday.
Pavel Datsyuk and Patrick Eaves scored in regulation, then Brian Rafalski added the winner 31 seconds into overtime for the Red Wings, who've won five of seven since the Olympic break.
"Every point is crucial,'' said Rafalski, who has two goals and three assists in his last four games. "I'm glad we got two."
Rafalski had two assists while Datsyuk added a goal Tuesday against the Flames, who've won two of the three meetings between the teams this season. Datsyuk has four goals in his last five games overall.
Calgary missed a chance to move ahead of Detroit in the standings Sunday, as its four-game winning streak was snapped with a 3-1 loss at Vancouver.
"Obviously, (Monday) night's game is huge for us but this time of year it shouldn't take much to get ready to play, especially being in the situation we're in,'' Flames coach Brent Sutter said. "Getting ready to play should be the easy part.''
Robyn Regehr scored as Vancouver's Roberto Luongo stopped all but one of the Flames' 33 shots. The Flames had scored 16 goals in their previous four games.
Miikka Kiprusoff made 17 saves but was replaced by Vesa Toskala after allowing three goals in the first period. Though he had his three-game winning streak snapped Sunday, Kiprusoff is 2-1 with a 1.34 GAA against Detroit this season and could be back in net for this contest.
However, Toskala, who's made one start since being acquired in a trade with Anaheim on March 3, is 7-1-0 with a 1.60 GAA in his career versus the Red Wings.
Jarome Iginla had a goal and an assist at Detroit last week, but he has been held without a point in two games since then.
These teams have split their last six meetings played in Calgary.
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