Red Wings turn to familiar face to derail the Jets

The Detroit Red Wings (7-21-3) need a win in the absolute worst way - if anything just to silence the negative voices for at least a night.

They've dropped 11 straight games and during that span have been outscored by a whopping 58 goals. That's just......

Ouch.

Tonight, they'll have a chance to break that streak when they pay a visit to the frozen tundra of Manitoba for the first of a home-and-home matchup with the Winnipeg Jets. Tonight's contest will face-off just after 8:00 PM EST. 

While the Red Wings are struggling mightily, the Jets are on cruise control. They're 14-5-2 in their past 21 games and 18-10-2 overall, just four points out of first place in the NHL's Central Division standings. 

Forward Justin Abelkader and defenseman Trevor Daley are expected to make their returns after lengthy absences rehabbing injuries. Abdelkader is projected to start on the fourth line, while Daley is projected to be the second-paring defenseman alongside Filip Hronek.

Tonight's full projected line combinations: 

Bertuzzi - Larkin - Fabbri

Glendening - Filppula - Zadina

Helm - Nielsen - Erne

Perlini - Ehn - Abdelkader

Nemeth - Green

Hornek - Daley

Cholowski - McIlrath

Comrie

Meanwhile, goaltender Eric Comrie will make his official starting debut for the team tonight; he had played a portion of the third period during Saturday night's 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, stopping all four shots he faced. 

Comrie suited up for the Jets from 2016-17 to 2018-19, winning two of five games. He was undefeated in four AHL appearances this season with the Tucson Roadrunners, the affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes, before a late November swap brought him to the Motor City.