Central Division notebook:

With 16 games remaining in the regular season, the Detroit Red Wings find themselves in an unfamiliar position: On the outside looking in.

The boat has sailed on Detroit's chances for a ninth straight division title. What's more troubling for the Wings, however, is that their 19^th straight playoff appearance may now be in jeopardy. A big reason for that is the team's inexplicable failure to protect a lead heading into the third period.

"In certain games, we've played well with the lead, we kept going after them, kept the third player high but got pressure on their defensemen," defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom told Booth Newspapers' Ansar Khan. "We haven't gotten that consistently this year."

While much of their troubles early in the season could be blamed on injury problems, the Red Wings are now healthy with all of their key players healthy.

While the team had been an aggressive team while protecting leads in the past, the Red Wings this season have tended to fade towards the end of the game which was none more apparent than in Tuesday's game against the Calgary Flames where the team was outshot 15-4 in the third period after heading in with a 2-1 lead.

"You get outshot 15-4 in the third period in a game where desperation on both sides should show," head coach Mike Babcock told Khan. "If it's a see-saw battle back and forth, you can understand that, but that third period wasn't good enough."

One of the most surprising statistics is that the Red Wings, a typically dynamic offensive team, are below the league average in goals scored. The team has finished below the league average in 20 years.

Despite their struggles the team remains optimistic about its playoff hopes. With 16 games left, Detroit is only one point back of the eighth and final playoff position.

The teams surrounding them have struggled as well. Only the Flames and the St. Louis Blues have found any modicum of consistency since the Olympic break and the closest team on Detroit's heels is four points away. It may be small consolation, but their route into the playoffs certainly could be easier than most.

And, as general manager Ken Holland continues to say, "If we play our way in, it's anyone's game."

CHICAGO

Forward Adam Burish returned on Wednesday night and contributed immediately, assisting on Patrick Sharp's first goal of the evening and fighting Los Angeles's Rich Clune 13 seconds later. ... Tim Sassone of the Chicago Daily Herald writes that the Blackhawks are looking to tighten up in their own end. The team has allowed 26 goals over its last seven games and Sassone points the finger at sloppy defensive play and poor goaltending as the reasons why. ... The Chicago Sun-Times' Dan Cahill responded to criticism of the Blackhawks' legendary national anthem atmosphere, saying that the cheering is done out of patriotism and enthusiasm for their country. ... The team's official Web site has a new addition to its Blackhawks Heritage Series, this time involving Ab McDonald, who spent four years with the ‘Hawks from 1960 to 1964. ... Former Blackhawk player and coach Denis Savard was honored prior to the team's overtime victory over the Kings on Wednesday. Savard spent 13 full seasons and part of one more as a member of the Blackhawks.

COLUMBUS

RW Rick Nash's Olympic gold medal and game-worn jersey will be on display for fans attending Saturday's game at the Nationwide Arena against the St. Louis Blues. ... Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch writes that the biggest reason that the Blue Jackets have floundered this season has been their play in the third period. The Blue Jackets have been outscored 72-51 in the third period this season, and have either led or been tied after two periods in 40 of 67 games. ... F Derek MacKenzie's latest call-up ended abruptly as the young center suffered a sprained MCL against the Ducks on Tuesday. He will be out a month, according to the Syracuse Post-Standard ... Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo.com's Puck Daddy blog reported an interesting piece of news: A U.S. Senate candidate, Marc Delphine, had been given a logo by a volunteer on his campaign that was a silver star, wrapped in the American flag. Sound familiar?

NASHVILLE

The Tennessean's John Glennon reports that Dan Ellis will be in net for the Predators against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. ... Preds on the Glass's Buddy Oakes offers some thoughts on Thursday's match-up against the Sharks. ... Defenseman Alexander Sulzer has been recalled from Nashville's AHL affiliate Milwaukee Admirals under emergency conditions. ... Glennon also reports that a shift in their lines helped Nashville's offense. Rookie forward Colin Wilson was moved alongside Jason Arnott and Martin Erat on Tuesday; the trio combined for eight shots and each player posted a point in a 2-1 win over Atlanta. ... More from the Tennessean, as Glennon reports that there is no timetable on the return of D Denis Grebeshkov, who was acquired at the trade deadline this season.

ST. LOUIS

The St. Louis Post Dispatch's Jeremy Rutherford reports that forward Keith Tkachuk has returned to practice. He is not expected to play Thursday night against the Islanders. ... The Hockey News has named Alex Pietrangelo as the NHL's top prospect in its 2010 Future Watch issue. ... Rutherford contemplates the Blues' favorable schedule coming up. The team's next three opponents are at or near the bottom of the standings. ... Norm Sanders of the Belleville News-Democrat has a look at the Blues' Thursday night tilt against the New York Islanders. ... Blues blog, Frozen Notes, reports that David Perron's Twitter fundraiser raised $4,500 to be sent for relief in Haiti.

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