DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard has never played against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he can appreciate the historic rivalry the franchises share, even as someone who was raised in upstate New York.

"Original Six, Hockey Night in Canada, it doesn’t get any better than that," Howard said. "Even being an American I get excited to get a chance to play on Hockey Night in Canada. You know everyone is watching. It’s sort of like your Monday Night Football."

Mike Modano watched his share of Maple Leafs games on CBC while growing up in Westland. And, like many Red Wings, the former Dallas Star hasn’t played Toronto that often since the Maple Leafs moved to the Eastern Conference in 1998.

"Just tons of history there," Modano said. "Growing up as a kid watching a lot of these games, a lot of games in Toronto, it’s fun to be a part of one."

Those sentiments were echoed by several players prior to Saturday’s rare Detroit-Toronto matchup at Joe Louis Arena. They anticipate a festive atmosphere in front of numerous fans of the opposing team, just like when the Montreal Canadiens visited on Dec. 10.

Toronto native Kris Draper called Red Wings-Maple Leafs one of the greatest rivalries in professional sports.

"The players love it, the fans love it," Draper said. "It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, or who’s doing well and who isn’t. Whenever it’s Toronto-Detroit, it’s very special."

It’s also an important game. The Red Wings are winless in three (0-2-1) and are tied with the San Jose Sharks for the No. 2 playoff seed in the Western Conference. Toronto has won three in a row, has gone 15-6-5 since Feb. 1 and is battling to make the playoffs in the East.

"We know we’re going to face a desperate team looking for points," Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom said.

Toronto hasn’t made the playoffs since 2003-04, before the NHL lockout, but has won its last three against Detroit, including a 5-1 victory last season (Nov. 7, 2009). The Maple Leafs haven’t played in Detroit since Oct. 9, 2008, winning 3-2 in the season opener.

The Red Wings haven’t beaten Toronto since Dec. 9, 2006 (5-1 in Detroit).

"We never see them, and I haven’t seen them very often the whole time I coached in the league," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "I know (TV analyst and former Red Wing) Mickey Redmond, before we were playing the Canucks (on Wednesday), all he could talk about was the Leafs on Saturday because that’s what he was used to and that’s what Detroit fans have been used to for a long time. So, obviously, I’m a big believer that the Original Six teams should play each other all the time.

"They’re playing real well, playing well on the road, so it’s going to be a good test for us."

Draper said there can never be enough Detroit-Toronto games.

"When we play there in preseason, it has a great feel to the games," Draper said. "It’s not just a regular exhibition game. Everyone gets into it a little more.

"You saw the atmosphere we had with Montreal. We played a home-and-home with Boston and both games were so fun to be a part of. There should be a home-and-home (with all Original Six teams), just for the sake of the sport, because people want to see it."

Odds & ends

• Brad Stuart removed the facemask from his helmet between periods during Monday’s game against Pittsburgh. He had been wearing it to protect his jaw, after undergoing surgery on Jan. 14. "I was just fed up with it"’ Stuart said. "Felt like I was breathing in all the air I had just breathed out, like I was smothering myself."

• Lidstrom, on the street in Novi that was named after him: "As far as I know it’s a very solid road. It was really an honor. Something I’ll always remember."