The Central Division has enjoyed some time off after two brutal weeks of hockey. Tonight it’s back to the fires.

Around The Central Division: February 3, 2013

YESTERDAY

Day off!

Transactions

Columbus Blue Jackets placed D Adrian Aucoin on injured reserve, retroactive to Jan. 29, and recalled D Cody Goloubef from Springfield (AHL).

Detroit Red Wings recalled G Petr Mrazek and F Tomas Tatar from Grand Rapids (AHL), reassigned G Thomas McCollum to Grand Rapids, and placed D Brendan Smith on injured reserve.

Standings

Leaders

Points: Patrick Kane (CHI) – 13
Goals: Marian Hossa (CHI) – 6
Assists: Patrick Kane (CHI) – 9
PIM: Jared Boll (CBJ) – 44
Wins: Corey Crawford – 5
GAA: Chris Mason (NSH) – 1.00
SV%: Chris Mason (NSH) – .967

TODAY

Nashville’s defense has to stop Tarasenko tonight. (PHOTO: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports)

After two days off, all five Central Division teams are back in action tonight.

Nashville Predators (3-2-3) at St. Louis Blues (6-2-0)
7:00 p.m. CST
FOX Sports Tennessee

The Preds and Blues meet for the third time in nine games tonight. St. Louis has taken both games but they couldn’t have been more different in nature. The first saw multiple lead changes and the Blues only won in a shootout. The last was the Preds’ worst offensive effort of the year and ended in a shutout. Which Preds team shows up will determine whether Nashville pulls to within just one point of the Blues or falls back from the pack after two straight wins.

Bleedin’ Blue has a preview, as do we.

Flames-Wings, a game no Preds fan can love. (PHOTO: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)

Calgary Flames (1-3-2) at Detroit Red Wings (4-3-1)
6:30 p.m. CST

It’s one of the worst teams in the league facing one of most injury-ridden as the Flames travel to play the Red Wings. The Wings have pulled off a couple of wins they probably didn’t deserve, and Calgary has had trouble finding a winning strategy. Sign of the times in Detroit: Octopus Thrower foresees a one-goal Detroit victory.

The new-look Jackets have already beaten L.A. once this season. (PHOTO: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings (2-3-2) at Columbus Blue Jackets (3-5-1)

The Blue Jackets are coming off a satisfying 4-2 win over the Red Wings. The Kings are reeling from consecutive losses to Nashville and Anaheim, the latter a 7-4 whipping fueled by Ducks forward Nick Bonino’s hat trick. Jonathan Quick’s woes continued in the game, as the Conn Smythe winner was chased from the net for the first time since last February after giving up two goals on three shots.

These teams also have two of the Western Conference’s better defenses. (PHOTO: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports)

Chicago Blackhawks (7-0-2) at San Jose Sharks (7-1-1)
9:30 p.m. CST

The teams with the two best records in the Western Conference square off at the Shark Tank. Both teams began the year with huge offensive outbursts but have slowed down in recent games. Still, Chicago and San Jose each find themselves in the league’s top 10 for goals. Whichever can find the next gear quickest will walk away the winner.

Blackhawk Up looks for signs in the sky, and the excellently-named Blades of Teal has the preview from the Shark Tank.