GOALTENDERS

--Jimmy Howard

--Ty Conklin

Analysis: Howard experienced a roller-coaster season in which his record (37-17-5) nearly mirrored that of his strong rookie season (37-15-10), but his stats (2.79 GAA, .908 save percentage) weren't nearly as good as 2009-10 (2.26, .9.24). But the 2011 playoffs may have been a turning point in his career, as he played with consistency and gave the team a chance to win every game. Conklin is coming off a mediocre season in St. Louis but the veteran flourished as Chris Osgood's back in Detroit in 2008-09.

DEFENSEMEN

--Nicklas Lidstrom

--Niklas Kronwall

--Brad Stuart

--Ian White

--Jonathan Ericsson

--Mike Commodore

--Jakub Kindl

Analysis: Lidstrom remains a top shutdown defender and one of the NHL's biggest offensive threats from the blue line. Expect Nicklas Kronwall, a crushing open-ice hitter with high-end skills, to build off a strong season in which he gradually supplanted Lidstrom as the team's leader in ice time. Jonathan Ericsson was rewarded with a hefty contract (three years, $9.75 million) and must take the next step after struggling much of the past two seasons. The bigger Commodore (6-4, 225) and smaller White (5-10, 195) add more grit, making the team harder to play against.

LINES

Projected first line: LW Dan Cleary, C Pavel Datsyuk, RW Patrick Eaves.

Projected second line: LW Valtteri Filppula, C Henrik Zetterberg, RW Johan Franzen.

Projected third line: LW Justin Abdelkader, C Darren Helm, RW Todd Bertuzzi.

Projected fourth line: LW Jiri Hudler, C Drew Miller, RW Tomas Holmstrom.

Analysis: The Wings boast two franchise players in Datsyuk and Zetterberg, who can dominate offensively and shut down opponents defensively. They are surrounded by a strong cast of secondary scorers, some of whom must rebound from off years. Franzen scored only two goals in his final 27 games, puzzling for a premier power forward who has been one of the game's most prolific scorers since March 2008. Hudler struggled (10 goals, 37 points) after returning from a one-year stint in Russia. Filppula (16 goals, 39 points) still has not reached the next level. On the plus side, Danny Cleary had a career-best 26 goals and veterans Tomas Holmstrom and Todd Bertuzzi still are good for 15-20 goals apiece. A trio of grinders (Eaves, Miller and the blazing fast Helm) each has reached double-digit goal totals in each of the past two seasons.

MEDICAL WATCH

--No injuries.

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