Detroit — Get better, accumulate points, improve defensively.
If there are boxes to check for the Red Wings' in the second half of the season, those are the top items as the team reaches the halfway point Friday against Dallas. The second-half march, toward the finish line, starts Saturday in Nashville.
Coach Jeff Blashill sets a simple goal in the short term.
"I want to win Friday," Blashill said.
The Wings are aiming to build on their first-half momentum. They enter Friday's game with a better than .500 record (18-17-5), within five points of the second wild-card spot (Boston has played four less games).