It looks like there won’t be lineup changes for either team. The power play is going to look a little different for the Wings as they try to crack the 100% PK of Chicago. They practiced using the top two forward lines as power play units. That adds Justin Abdelkader to and subtracts Gustav Nyquist from the power play.

Jimmy Howard starts in goal.

UPDATE 8:19PM: The Hawks juggled their forward lines quite a bit. I made the updates below.

Backman was drafted in the 5th round, 146th overall in the 2011 entry draft. He might turn out to be yet another late round, Swedish steal for the Wings. He’s growing wonderfully while playing for Linkoping in the Swedish Elite League, more than tripling his point total from last season. In 52 games this season, Backman scored 2 goals and 24 assists for a total of 26 points. He’s a two-way defenseman with great mobility and good size (6′ 3″, about 180 lbs.). He still needs to fill out his tall frame, but what 20 year old NHL prospect doesn’t have to do that?

No lineup changes for the Wings tonight. That means Todd Bertuzzi, Mikael Samuelsson, Jordin Tootoo, and Ian White are healthy scratches. Jordan Pearce will be in the building as a 3rd goaltender. He won’t dress unless something we will not speak of happens.

The Hawks are making some changes, though. Viktor Stalberg will be re-inserted into the lineup. Why he didn’t start the series for Chicago is beyond me. Stalberg’s a phenomenal hockey player that I would LOVE to see wearing the winged wheel. He’ll be skating on the 3rd line that will be centered by Andrew Shaw. The other winger will be Bryan Bickell. Dave Bolland is sliding up to center the 2nd line with Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane (recently declared by MEEEE!!! as the 2nd best stickhandler in the league). Michal Handzus will slide down to center the 4th line with Marcus Kruger and Michael Frolik. The likely healthy scratch is Dan Carcillo (who got knocked on his ass a few times while taking runs at Brendan Smith and Kyle Quincey).

I’m starting to have some confidence in this Detroit team. It’s still a longshot in my mind, but my eyebrow is raised.

Jimmy Howard starts in goal.

The Wings were dominated in game 1. They need to be damn near perfect to steal this game this afternoon. No easy giveaways, no lazy power play, and no 3rd period meltdowns. The Wings are an ant and the Hawks are a shoe. It’s all about somehow finding that gap in the sole of the shoe.

Jimmy Howard starts in goal.

UPDATE 1:14PM: Drew Miller is back in the lineup. He takes Todd Bertuzzi’s spot on the 4th line.

Mikael Samuelsson is a healthy scratch tonight, which makes room for Cory Emmerton to re-enter the lineup to center the 4th line with Todd Bertuzzi and Patrick Eaves on his wings. That’s the only lineup change for Detroit.

Viktor Stalberg will be a healthy scratch for Chicago, which means Dan Carcillo will be in the lineup. His presence might make it so that we see Jordin Tootoo in this series.

Jimmy Howard starts in goal.

Datsyuk was tied for the league lead in takeaways with 56 and was 55% on face-offs. He also added 15 goals and 34 assists in 47 games and was +21. He won the Selke 3 years in a row from the 2007/08 season to the 2009/10 season.

The other two finalists are Boston’s Patrice Bergeron and Chicago’s Jonathan Toews.

Patrick Eaves is back in the lineup tonight since Mike Babcock wasn’t happy with how his 4th line meshed. He chose Cory Emmerton to come out to make room for Eaves. Interesting choice. Emmerton’s been a great penalty killer for this team all season. Mikael Samuelsson will center the 4th line with Todd Bertuzzi and Eaves on his wings.

No changes on defense, although Brian Lashoff has been sent to Grand Rapids to make room for the Wings to call up Thomas McCollum to have a 3rd goalie just in case. Howard might be a bit sore, so it’s nice to have another goalie around for players to shoot at in practice.

Jimmy Howard starts in goal.

Justin Abdelkader will be back in the lineup tonight after serving his 2 game suspension for charging Toni Lydman. He will return to his spot on the top line with Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. They haven’t had that grinding and banging on that line the past few games, so he’ll be a welcome addition.

With Abs returning, someone needs to come out. That will be Patrick Eaves tonight. Todd Bertuzzi and Mikael Samuelsson will play on the 4th line with Cory Emmerton. The other two lines will remain the same. You have to imagine that Dan Cleary will be playing in some pain tonight after the shot he took from Daniel Winnik. He’s a warrior. You have to give him that.

On defense, Brian Lashoff is a healthy scratch to make room for Carlo Colaiacovo. Carlo will be paired with Jakub Kindl. I imagine Mikael Samuelsson will still be on the point on the 2nd power play unit, but don’t be surprised to see Carlo back there. He has a heavy shot that he doesn’t hesitate to use. He can bring it.

For Anaheim, again, who knows what Bruce Boudreau is going to do with his forward lines. Kyle Palmieri has been the best Ducks forward all series long, so who knows if Bruce will keep him skating on the 4th line. Palmieri could play on any line, really.

Jimmy Howard starts in goal.

I imagine the lineup will remain the same for the Wings going into Anaheim tonight. Babcock is very reluctant to change winning lineups, no matter how the win was won. Win was won. Win was won. Say that 10 times fast.

As for Anaheim, it’s hard to know what Boudreau is going to do. He’s moved Kyle Palmieri, who I would say has been far and away the best forward for Anaheim, all over the lineup. How the lines will flesh out depends on where Palmieri is.

Jimmy Howard starts in goal.

No lineup changes on defense for the Wings.

For Anaheim, Toni Lydman will be out, obviously. That means Sheldon Souray will step back in. It doesn’t look like anything will change up front for the Ducks.

The Wings need this one or they’re in DEEP trouble.

Jimmy Howard starts in goal.