Red Wings

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock announced at his team’s morning skate retired enforcer/goon Darren McCarty had been signed to a one-day contract for Friday night’s playoff game against the Predators. Babcock denied the signing had anything to do with Shea Weber’s cheap shot on Henrik Zetterberg in the closing moments of Nashville’s opening game 3-2 victory Wednesday, but did wink at reporters as he closed the interview.

Chug-Chug encounters a Detroit Red Wings fan and picks up a new habit.

Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith has been suspended for the remainder of the preseason plus five regular-season games after police found the body of Blackhawks wingman, Ben Smith, buried in his backyard.

Just minutes after the NHL moved Saturday's Winter Classic back eight hours due to weather issues in Pittsburgh, commissioner Gary Bettman announced a change to the 2012 showdown, whose host city has yet to be announced.

The Blackhawks and Red Wings squared off Friday night at the United Center in the latest clash between the two oldest rivals in the NHL. The Blackhawks were also celebrated Chris Chelios “Heritage Night,” with the former defensemen dropping the ceremonial pregame puck and all was going well until Hawks goon John Scott threw down the gloves at the sight of Chelios.

Retired defenseman Chris Chelios will be honored by the Blackhawks tonight before they take the ice against the Red Wings, another of his former teams. In addition to honoring Chelios, the Blackhawks will add him to their third line for the foreseeable future.