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Smyth ready for taste of Red Wings rivalry

By Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 27, 2007 at 12:45 a.m.

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Henrik Zetterberg is one of several Red Wings who are banged up and might miss tonight's game in Denver.

Photo by Claus Andersen / Getty Images

Henrik Zetterberg is one of several Red Wings who are banged up and might miss tonight's game in Denver.

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Ryan Smyth knows all about bitter rivalries, having played for the Edmonton Oilers in so many Battles of Alberta against the Calgary Flames.

The 31-year-old left wing has missed three games with a neck strain but is expected to get his first close-up taste of the Avalanche- Detroit Red Wings rivalry tonight at the Pepsi Center.

"Oh, I know all about it," said Smyth, who skated at practice Wednesday in Centennial with his usual linemates, Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk. "I know that some things went on in the past, but I think the game has changed quite a bit since then."

Most of the antagonists responsible for the violent episodes have either retired or are playing for other teams.

"But this game has always been a fans' favorite to go to," defenseman John-Michael Liles said. "The emotions are always revved up. I think some of these games in the past got a lot of people into hockey.

"The biggest difference is that so many of the faces have changed in the past few years. There's not a lot of bloodshed anymore."

Neck injury a mystery

Smyth still isn't certain what caused his neck problem. He woke up with a stiff neck Dec. 19 in Anaheim, two days after the Avalanche played in Los Angeles.

"It just didn't feel right," he said. "I didn't think I got hurt during the (Kings) game and I seemed fine after it. My neck was just really stiff and I couldn't move it."

Smyth is optimistic he'll be able to play tonight.

Red Wings hurting

The Red Wings have the best record in the NHL and will pose a huge challenge for the Avalanche, even though they played Wednesday night in St. Louis and might not be completely healthy.

Henrik Zetterberg, who is among the league's leading scorers, missed his second game in a row Wednesday because of back spasms. Two other forwards, Tomas Holmstrom and Kirk Maltby, didn't play because of knee injuries.

"It will be a great test, a way to measure us against the best team," Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville said.

"They have so many weapons. They have a lot of skill, play a real strong team game and their puck possession is better than anybody.

"It'll be a challenge for us defensively all game long."

Sakic's nagging injury

Avalanche captain Joe Sakic didn't skate again and will miss his 13th consecutive game because of a groin injury.

"Nothing's changed," Quenneville said, adding Sakic is continuing treatment and off-ice workouts.

Brad Richardson, who has missed three games with a shoulder injury, centered a line at practice with Wojtek Wolski and Andrew Brunette.

Defenseman Jordan Leopold, who has missed three games with a lacerated leg, took part in practice and did extensive skating after with assistant coach Tony Granato.

Quenneville said it was "possible" Richardson and Leopold could play tonight.

Defenseman Kurt Sauer will miss his 13th game with a concussion and sore neck he suffered in a Nov. 30 game against San Jose when Sharks center Patrick Marleau hit him in the chin with his shoulder.

Sauer said he feels fine when performing normal everyday chores but felt dizzy when he tried to skate about a week ago.

sadowskir@RockyMountainNews.com

Red Wings at Avalanche

* When: 7 tonight

* Where: Pepsi Center.

* TV/radio: Altitude; KKFN-AM (950)

* Leading scorers

Detroit (27-7-3) G A P

LW Henrik Zetterberg 25 25 50

C Pavel Datsyuk 14 32 46

D Nicklas Lidstrom 4 30 34

D Brian Rafalski 5 27 32

LW Tomas Holmstrom 17 14 31

Coach:

Mike Babcock

Colorado (21-13-2) G A P

C Paul Stastny 15 28 43

RW Milan Hejduk 15 15 30

LW Ryan Smyth 11 17 28

RW Andrew Brunette 6 19 25

LW Wojtek Wolski 12 11 23

Coach:

Joel Quenneville * Injuries: Detroit: Holmstrom (knee), Maltby (knee) and Zetterberg (back spasms) are day to day. Colorado: C Tyler Arnason (broken wrist), C Joe Sakic (groin) and D Kurt Sauer (concussion) are out; Smyth (neck strain) is probable; D Jordan Leopold (lacerated calf) and LW Brad Richardson (shoulder) are possible.

* Sidelight: The Avalanche is 1-2-1 at home against the Red Wings the past two seasons and 2-5-1 overall against them.