The Detroit Red Wings will be without two of their workhorses as they enter a particularly tough week.
The Wings host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday (7:30 p.m., FSD), before going on the road to play at Washington on Thursday, Columbus on Saturday and Minnesota on Sunday. Second-line center Frans Nielsen (shoulder) and defenseman Niklas Kronwall (knee) will miss at least the first two games. Nielsen was placed on injured reserve today to free up a roster spot to activate forward Steve Ott, who has been out since mid-January with a shoulder injury. Nielsen is eligible to come off IR no earlier than Friday.