DETROIT -- Joe Louis Arena was an intimidating venue for opponents for two decades because of the Detroit Red Wings’ skill, depth, firepower and defensive ability.

That aura diminished last season, when the Red Wings fared better on the road than in their own building.

But it’s back now.

"The other team coming into the Joe, they know it’s going to be tough," Detroit’s Tomas Holmstrom said. "It’s always good to have that in the back of opponents’ heads."

The Red Wings have won 13 consecutive home games, one short of the franchise record set in 1964-65. They will try to equal that mark today against the Chicago Blackhawks in a nationally televised matinee game.

The Red Wings haven’t lost at home since Nov. 4 (4-1 to Calgary), outscoring the opposition 59-19 at the Joe during this run. They are 16-2-1 at home, 11-13-0 on the road.

The disparity is difficult to explain.

"We’ve been able to play a different game at home," defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "The energy that we’ve had even when we’ve been down a goal or so, we’ve been able to find a way to just grind it out."

Said captain Nicklas Lidstrom: "For whatever reason, we’ve been using our speed a lot more at home. We’ve been coming wave after wave, going after teams a lot more than we do on the road. Whether it’s forechecking or back-checking, just playing harder at home."

Goaltender Jimmy Howard said they pay better attention to detail at home.

"We don’t get running around here, play the system a lot better," Howard said.

"We keep our goals-against down pretty good at home, which is real positive," coach Mike Babcock said. "You’ve got to be good without the puck and that’s what we’ve been at home."

Considering how formidable the Red Wings have been at the Joe, there is an even greater premium on home-ice advantage in the playoffs.

The Central Division race is as competitive as it has ever been, with five points separating the top four teams.

"It’s crazy how tight this is," Holmstrom said.

The Red Wings are in third place, one point behind St. Louis and two back of Chicago. And Nashville trails Detroit by only three points.

"I think our division has been as strong as ever," Lidstrom said. "They’re tough teams to play against. Every point matters. You don’t want to fall behind because teams are winning all the time."

The Red Wings have split two games in Chicago, losing 3-2 on Dec. 30 and winning 3-2 in overtime on Jan. 7. The Blackhawks went 3-0 in Detroit last season.

"The whole Western Conference is tight all the way through," Howard said. "It goes to show how much these points mean. We got to start banking them away now so, come April, we’re ready to go."

Commodore not ready

Defenseman Mike Commodore won’t play today because of a sore right foot from blocking a shot last Sunday in Chicago. He hopes to be ready Monday.

Commodore dressed as the seventh defenseman Tuesday against the New York Islanders because the team was short one forward, but he didn’t leave the bench.

"The pregame skate was a joke, I couldn’t even turn," Commodore said. "If you put skates on and sit for 2 1/2 hours, it’s going to hurt. It was awful.

"The second period was the worst. I had to loosen my skates up on the bench. Babs talked to me and told me what the plan was. I was cool with that."

Commodore said the same thing happened to him earlier in his career in Carolina, when he had a charley horse and didn’t get off the bench.

"Coach wanted me on the bench in Montreal. I just cheered," Commodore said. "Couple of fans chirped at me in French, telling me how great a game I had. I think we won big.

"I told them in French, 'Thank you very much.'"

Red Wings like early starts

The Red Wings, being a good draw for NBC, are accustomed to playing at noon and 12:30.

"I like 5 o’clock games the best, but I like afternoon games, too, and I like it at home when you can spend the afternoon, or go for dinner with your family," Babcock said.

Players also enjoy early puck drops.

"You wake up and come to the rink and play, no waiting around," Howard said. "Then, you got the rest of the day and night to relax."