Red Wings-Predators Preview 2-19-13

February 19, 2013 2:00 PM

ST PAUL, MN – FEBRUARY 17: Dany Heatley #15 of the Minnesota Wild checks Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wing into the boards during the first period of the game on February 17, 2013 at Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

(AP) — Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock isn’t making any excuses for his team’s recent struggles despite having a banged-up club.

A victory over the team that knocked Detroit out of last season’s playoffs likely would relieve some stress, though.

Visiting Detroit faces Central Division rival Nashville for the first time this season looking to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat Tuesday night.

Already needing to replace retirees Nicklas Lidstrom and Tomas Holmstrom, the Red Wings have battled multiple injuries and been forced to play six rookies – not including Swiss newcomer Damien Brunner.

Johan Franzen is on injured reserve due to a hip injury, Todd Bertuzzi is nursing a back problem that should keep him out at least another couple of weeks and plenty of others are fighting nagging injuries.

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