Red Wings put home streak on the line against Blackhawks

Hockey Betting Lines

02/21/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Red Wings shoot for their 13th consecutive victory on home ice when the rival Chicago Blackhawks enter Joe Louis Arena tonight for a matchup between Central Division foes.

Detroit has been tremendous in the Motor City all season long, having amassed a gaudy 21-3-3 home mark for the campaign, and hasn't lost as the host since a 3-2 setback to Ottawa on December 12.

The franchise record for consecutive home victories is 14, set from January 21-March 25, 1965.

The Red Wings can also climb back into first place in the Central, where they currently trail Nashville by just one point, with a win tonight. The Predators also hold a slim edge on Detroit for the all-important top spot in the Western Conference.

Detroit completed a three-game road trip with a 4-1 triumph over lowly Phoenix on Saturday. Henrik Zetterberg was the offensive star for the Red Wings, as the All-Star forward recorded his first career hat trick and added an assist on Justin Williams' empty-net tally in the closing seconds.

Pavel Datsyuk assisted on all four Detroit goals and Dominik Hasek made 20 saves in the win, the Red Wings' eighth in their last 10 games.

Zetterberg continued his torrid scoring pace during February. In eight games this month, the Swedish star has racked up 10 goals and 11 assists.

Chicago will be attempting to halt a three-game overall losing streak as well as ending its recent lack of success in this series. The Blackhawks have lost 11 of their last 12 meetings with Detroit, including all three tests this season.

In its most recent contest, Chicago came up on the short end of a 2-1 decision to the New York Rangers Sunday in Madison Square Garden. Martin Havlat scored the only goal for the Blackhawks, who couldn't get out of an early 2-0 hole.

Patrick Lalime stopped 27-of-29 shots for Chicago in a losing cause.

The Blackhawks, who are 11-15-5 on the road for the season, will open a four- game homestand Thursday against San Jose.

Chicago has lost in eight of its last nine visits to Joe Louis Arena, including a 6-3 setback on January 13.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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