Red-Wings-Winnipeg.JPG

The Detroit Red Wings haven't played in Winnipeg since 1996, when their forwards included Dino Ciccarelli (left) and Sergei Fedorov and the Jets' goalie was Nikolai Khabibulin.

(AP File Photo)

GAME INFORMATION

•

Who:

(9-4-2) vs. Winnipeg Jets (5-8-2)

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Faceoff: 8 p.m. at MTS Centre

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Live coverage: Join the MLive conversation at 7 p.m. ET and follow Ansar Khan (

) and Brendan Savage (

) on Twitter.

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TV: Fox Sports Detroit

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WXYT-FM (97.1), WXYT-AM (1270) and the

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Latest line: Red Wings -1.5 (5.5)

THE STORYLINE

The Detroit Red Wings will complete a four-game road trip against Western Conference teams tonight in Winnipeg.

They've won the first three games, giving them a 4-2-1 record against Western teams and moving them in a tie for second place in the Eastern Conference.

But if the Red Wings were still in the Western Conference – they moved to the East this year after 19 seasons – they'd be in seventh place with 20 points, ahead of only Minnesota (8-4-3) among teams currently holding down playoff positions.

Five teams in the East holding down playoff spots today have winning records against the West – that includes the Red Wings, who are 4-2-1 and in the midst of playing nine of 12 games vs. Western teams.

The Eastern playoff teams have a combined record of 30-20-2 (.600) vs. the West.

But all eight Western playoff teams have winning records vs. Eastern teams. (We didn't count Los Angeles are technically ninth.)

Western teams holding down playoff spots have a 44-11-4 record vs. Eastern teams. That's a winning percentage of .780. And all eight of the Western teams holding down playoff spots have winning records against the East.

Overall, Western teams have a 61-26-9 (.762) record vs. the East while Eastern teams have a 35-51-10 (.417) record vs. the West.

So all things considered, is the West the stronger conference this season?

HISTORY

The Red Wings lead the all-time series with Winnipeg 10-4-0.

The last time the teams met was Dec. 10, 2011, when Detroit won 7-1 at Joe Louis Arena. Jiri Hudler scored twice for the Red Wings, who erupted for seven unanswered goals after falling behind 1-0.

The Red Wings haven't played in Winnipeg since April 28, 1996, when Slava Kozlov's two goals helped give them a 4-1 victory in the sixth and final game of their first-round playoff series.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Defenseman Adam Almquist will make his NHL debut for the Red Wings after being recalled to replace Brendan Smith, who separated his shoulder Friday in Edmonton.

Darren Helm, a Winnipeg native, will also be playing just his third game in two seasons because of injuries after making his season debut vs. the Oilers.

Winnipeg's Bryan Little leads the Jets with seven goals and Andrew Ladd has six points in his last six games.

RECENT NEWS

• Jordin Tootoo excited to be back in lineup, playing in native Manitoba

• Given opportunity, Tomas Tatar producing to solidify spot in lineup

• Helm excited about homecoming as Red Wings seek Western sweep

• Helm will return to dangerous form in time, says coach and teammates

• Red Wings like rookie goaltender Petr Mrazek's confidence

• Helm's goal vs. Oilers 'icing on the cake' in 2013-14 debut

• Mrazek records first NHL shutout in 5-0 victory over Edmonton

• Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff won't be pushed off long-term plan

• Red Wings making first visit to Winnipeg in 6,398 days

POINT TO PONDER

Is the Western Conference stronger than the East this season?