A Big Test Ahead as Canucks Come to Town

It was expected to be a tumultuous month of December for the Wings, who after only 10 games, have as many regulation losses as they did in the two months to begin the season. The busy schedule seems to have negatively impacted the Wings' defense, who have given up 15 goals in the last 4 games, getting just the one victory from them. The news gets no better however, as next up is the surging Canucks.

Vancouver's fortunes have quite divergent from the Wings', as the 'Nucks have earned an impressive 19 of their last 22 contested points, with Roberto Luongo heating up in net. Their former captain has won 9 of his last 10 letting averaging a measly 1.69GAA in that span. In the past however, the Wings haven't had too much trouble with the widely touted goalie, scoring 3 or more goals on Vancouver in Luongo's last 7 starts against the Red Wings dating back to 2008.

Preventing goal will need to be the biggest concern however for Detroit. The Canucks have been scoring just a touch under 4 goals a game in their last 11 games with balanced scoring across the board not unlike the contribution seen amongst the Red Wings four lines. An obvious priority will be the Sedin twins and the threat they pose each shift.

It's difficult to say where it's all falling apart for the Red Wings. They haven't been flat out awful, they just don't seem to have been able to make things go the way they want. They have at times, imposed their will on situations within games, but it usually ends with no reward. You can't help but feel this change of fortune for Detroit has impacted the confidence of some of the players a little. Still, all it takes is a couple of big games, and the Red Wings are usually most ready for these 'top-of-the-table' showdowns.

Detroit recently relinquished top spot in the Conference to Dallas however remain leader of the Central Division with Vancouver breathing down their neck at third in the West. A win for Detroit will see them leapfrog the Stars back into first, however a win for the Canucks will tie them with Detroit only staying arrears to the Wings because of the 'shootout win' rule.