Blue Jackets  3    Red Wings  4

Columbus Blue Jackets (32-34-14) at Detroit Red Wings (41-24-14), 7:30 p.m.

Sports Network | April 7, 2010

(Sports Network) - With a playoff spot secured, the Detroit Red Wings will focus on positioning when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at Joe Louis Arena in the opener of a home-and-home series.

The well-rested Red Wings haven't played since Sunday's regulation loss in Philadelphia. Despite that setback, Detroit clinched a playoff spot as a result of a Calgary loss to Chicago later on Sunday.

For the Red Wings it marks their 19th straight trip to the postseason, extending the longest active streak of playoff appearances of the four major pro sports. Detroit enters tonight as the seventh seed in the West and is just one point behind Los Angeles for the sixth spot and three points ahead of eighth-seeded Colorado.

The Red Wings have taken three of four from Columbus this year and Detroit has claimed nine of the last 13 overall meetings in the regular season. The Blue Jackets have also dropped six of seven and eight of their last 10 trips to Detroit.

Columbus will host the finale of the season series Friday at Nationwide Arena. That will also be the last game of the year for the Blue Jackets, who have already been eliminated for playoff contention.

The Flyers notched a 4-3 win over the Red Wings at Wachovia Center behind a goal and an assist from Kimmo Timonen.

Dan Cleary had a goal and assist for the Red Wings, while Pavel Datsyuk and Darren Helm also scored in the loss. Detroit has lost two straight after winning its previous six outings.

Chris Osgood made his first start since January 27 and let in all four goals on 25 shots. Jimmy Howard, who made 25 straight starts before Osgood manned the crease on Sunday, is expected to be back between the pipes tonight.

Tonight marks the final home tilt of the regular season for Detroit, which is 24-10-6 as the host this year. After visiting the Blue Jackets on Friday, the Red Wings will complete their schedule Sunday against Chicago.

The Blue Jackets have lost three straight and are coming off Monday's overtime loss in St. Louis. Erik Johnson scored the game-winner 3:59 into OT, lifting the Blues to a 2-1 victory at Scottrade Center.

Derick Brassard scored the lone goal for Columbus. Mathieu Garon racked up 32 saves for the Blue Jackets, who have lost 10 of their last 12 games in St. Louis.

"I think we battled really hard and guys stepped up," said Garon. "It's good to see young guys come in here and bring energy. Overall, we played a good game."

Columbus has a dreadful 12-22-6 road record this year and has lost four of its last away from the Buckeye State.