May 20, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Justin Abdelkader (8) reacts after center Pavel Datsyuk (not pictured) scored a goal on Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford(50) in the third period in game three of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Red Wings face-off against the Chicago Blackhawks today at 8:00 p.m. EDT in Joe Louis Arena.

The Detroit Red Wings are coming off a huge win to take the series lead and two days rest. This season, rest has not been the best thing for Detroit, but I do believe it helped them take game two because of the extra energy. The Red Wings dominated the face-off dot in game three and need to do the same tonight.

Chicago will want to come out and try to get the early goal, which would deflate the crowd and put the Wings off their game. Detroit need to be defensively responsible and not allow Chicago to have easy chances on Howard. Chicago wants to get under Detroit’s skin and there will be some rough stuff after the whistle tonight.

Projected Line-up

Forwards

Johan Franzen – Pavel Datsyuk – Justin Abdelkader

Valtteri Filppula – Henrik Zetterberg – Daniel Cleary

Gustav Nyquist – Joakim Andersson – Damien Brunner

Drew Miller – Cory Emmerton – Patrick Eaves

Defensemen

Niklas Kronwall – Jonathan Ericsson

Brendan Smith – Kyle Quincey

Jakub Kindl – Carlo Colaiacovo

Goaltender

Jimmy Howard

The Red Wings need to be smart tonight because the Blackhawks will try to get under their skin tonight.

Detroit cannot underestimate Chicago either, Chicago is a very talented team and Detroit has to respect that.

Jimmy Howard has been tested often this series and has been the Wings MVP so far.

Who would have thought that you would notice Carlo Colaiacovo for his good play rather than bad plays? Cola has been solid on defense next to Kindl.

Prediction: The Red Wings comfortably nest in the heads of the Chicago players and take another game at home. Red Wings victory 4-2.

May 18, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad (20) is checked into the Detroit Red Wings bench by left wing Justin Abdelkader (8) in the second period of game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. The Red Wings won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Red Wings face-off against the Chicago Blackhawks today at 7:30 p.m. EDT in Joe Louis Arena.

The Red Wings responded in game two after a bad start to the series and will look to continue their good fortune tonight. The Wings cannot afford to let the Blackhawks take the series lead again. If Detroit wants to take this series they have to go up a game.

The Blackhawks are not going to make it easy on Detroit though. Jonathan Toews was not happy with the officiating in game two and Marian Hossa was flopping all over the ice, so who knows what is in store tonight. The Red Wings do not need to take this game, but it would certainly help.

Projected Line-up

Forwards

Johan Franzen – Pavel Datsyuk – Justin Abdelkader

Valtteri Filppula – Henrik Zetterberg – Daniel Cleary

Gustav Nyquist – Joakim Andersson – Damien Brunner

Drew Miller – Cory Emmerton – Patrick Eaves

Defensemen

Niklas Kronwall – Jonathan Ericsson

Brendan Smith – Kyle Quincey

Jakub Kindl – Carlo Colaiacovo

Goaltender

Jimmy Howard

Brendan Smith will need to play a simple game today, no bad turnovers and good offensive plays.

The forth line looked good in game two and Drew Miller brings more speed and defensive abilities to the the Wings.

The power play has to get jump started in game three, they cannot let Chicago get away clean after taking a penalty.

Prediction: Coming off of a big win in Chicago and playing in front of the home crowd should energize the Red Wings. 3-1 Red Wing victory.