The set-up: The 9-7-1 Columbus Blue Jackets are hoping to halt a four-game slide as they begin a stretch of three games against Original Six clubs Saturday versus the host Detroit Red Wings. Columbus, which follows with games against Montreal and the New York Rangers, fell to 0-3-1 over its last four contests with Friday's 3-1 loss to Carolina. The 8-8-1 Detroit Red Wings begin a stretch of five straight contests at home, where they own a 2-2-1 record. The Red Wings concluded their road trip with a 6-3 loss at Calgary on Thursday, missing out on the team's at their first three-game winning streak of the season.

Columbus: The Blue Jackets' win-less streak has coincided with the team's power play failing to produce a goal in 11 opportunities during the slide. Then again, the power play has been a source of concern all season-long, with Columbus converting only 5-for-50 with the man advantage on the season (10.0%), making them last among all 31 teams. Alexander Wennberg has been one of the Blue Jackets' biggest disappointments thus far, recording one goal in 17 games after notching a career-high 13 in 80 contests last season. Brandon Dubinsky continues to make up for an awful first month of the season as he scored the Blue Jackets' goal against the Hurricanes to give him four points (two goals) over his first five games of November.

Detroit: Anthony Mantha is beginning to live up to being the 20th overall pick in the 2013 draft as he leads the team with eight goals in 17 games after recording 17 in 60 contests last season. Rookie Martin Frk is riding a three-game goal-scoring streak and is tied for second on the team with six and even with Mantha for first with three power-play tallies.
The Red Wings have played 12 games on the road (6-6-0) but only five at home so far (2-2-1). Last season's home struggles were part of the reason that the Red Wings missed the playoffs for the first time since the 1989-90 season.

The pick: The Red Wings will launch a five-game homestand Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and play 13 of their next 15 games at their new digs, Little Caesars Arena. Detroit was just 17-17-7 at home in its farewell season at Joe Louis Arena, ranking the Red Wings 28th overall in the NHL in home wins. It marked the fewest wins on home ice posted by Detroit since a 10-26-4 slate in 1985-86 during the most recent season in which the club finished in last place in the NHL. Granted, Columbus has lost four in a row but I'll take the Blue Jackets here, making them an 8* play!