Detroit @ New Jersey preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 29, 2019 ) New Jersey 0, Detroit 4

Jimmy Howard's struggles are a microcosm of Detroit's season as the Red Wings are mired in another losing streak entering Saturday's game against the host New Jersey Devils. Howard has lost five straight starts with a 5.30 goals-against average and .828 save percentage during that span after a 5-4 setback at Columbus on Thursday - Detroit's fourth in a row - and will likely split duties with Jonathan Bernier during a back-to-back that includes a home game against Carolina on Sunday.

“I have to step up and make some saves for the guys, it’s as simple as that,” Howard, who is 2-9-1 this season, told reporters. “It’s frustrating. When you score four goals we expect to win. You can’t give up five goals. I have to find a way to make more saves for the guys.” After matching a season high with two straight victories, New Jersey has lost two in a row following Friday's 4-1 loss at Pittsburgh. The Devils average the third-fewest goals in the NHL at 2.43 and have scored 15 in their last nine contests. The Red Wings have won four straight meetings, including a three-game sweep last season with Dylan Larkin providing two goals and five points.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Detroit Plus, MSG Plus (New Jersey)

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (7-14-3): The line of Anthony Mantha, Tyler Bertuzzi and Larkin has been a bright spot with a combined 28 goals and 61 points with Mantha (12 goals) and Bertuzzi (10) leading the way. Mantha has nine of his team-high 23 points in the last eight games while Bertuzzi scored twice against Columbus, giving him four goals in the last four contests. Mike Green (upper body) is expected to miss his second straight game while fellow blueliner Patrick Nemeth (illness) hasn't played the last five contests and Darren Helm (lower body) was out Thursday.

ABOUT THE DEVILS (7-10-4): Taylor Hall, who won the 2018 Hart Trophy after scoring a career-high 39 goals, has 14 since with his third goal of the season coming Friday. Hall leads the club with 18 points followed by Kyle Palmieri, who has a team-most seven goals and 13 points. Louis Domingue - 21-5-0 in a back-up role with Tampa Bay last season - is likely to make his first start with New Jersey after relieving Mackenzie Blackwood on Friday and stopped all five shots he saw in the final 17 minutes, 30 seconds.

OVERTIME

1. Detroit owns an eight-game losing streak and a pair of four-game slides this season.

2. Devils C Nico Hischier, the first pick in the 2017 draft, has four of his 11 points this season in the last four contests.

3. The teams are each 11-for-76 on the power play - tied for sixth-worst in the league - after the Red Wings went 0-for-10 with the extra man over their last four games.

PREDICTION: Red Wings 3, Devils 2