Red Wings Blashill thinks Helm will be ready tomorrow. If so, Ott will go on IR with a shoulder issue that he originally suffered in Toronto...
RANGERS (29-16-1) at RED WINGS (20-19-7) 12:30 p.m. ET; NBC, NHL.TV ? Rangers team scope After giving up 16 goals in three straight losses, New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist made 23 saves in a 5-2 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday and is expected to start. "I didn't see that many shots, but it was pretty good scoring chances every time they had a shot," he said. "When I'm in the situation I'm in, every save matters." The Rangers are trying not to lose ground in the tough Metropolitan Division standings. "Everyone in our division is winning, and a three-game slide is not great to have in the second half of the year here going downhill to the playoffs," Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh said. ? Red Wings team scope Petr Mrazek could make his second straight start for the Detroit Red Wings. He made 34 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. "I thought Petr Mrazek was very good," coach Jeff Blashill told the Red Wings website after the game. "I thought he made some excellent saves, especially in the first period. ... I think he is trending in the right direction." The loss ended Detroit's three-game winning streak, but they are 3-0-1 in their past four and have won three straight games at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings were not happy with their play in the third period. "To go up late and then watch it kind of disappear in the last five minutes of the game, and not be able to come back in overtime, it [stunk]," Red Wings forward Darren Helm said.
Howard (knee) skated with the team Monday, but will need one or two games of conditioning at AHL Grand Rapids upon his return, Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News reports.