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Iginla shouldn’t be worried about scoreless streak against Wings

There’s a big game tonight between the Detroit Red Wings and Calgary Flames, as the Wings hope to win three in a row for the first time since December. Even more importantly, it’s a battle for the 8th spot in the West with the Red Wings holding a one point lead over the Flames and a four point lead over the Dallas Stars.

One interesting side note to tonight’s game is the current scoreless streak that Jarome Iginla has against the Wings in the past 19 regular season games. Even more interesting is that Iginla had no clue about that stat until he was informed by a reporter:

“To be honest, I hadn’t thought about it till you brought it up,” Iginla said after Tuesday’s morning skate. “But it’s probably a good thing to think about . . . maybe approach the game a little differently than in the past.

“For whatever reason, it’s been pretty dry against them in the regular season. But just keep playing and it’s bound to change. Try to do the right things. Get good quality shots.

“But that’s too long to not have a goal. I can’t tell you why,” said Iginla, “but obviously (Lidstrom) is part of that. I hope to change that.”

I’m sure the fact that he hasn’t scored on the Red Wings in 19 games is weighing heavily on his mind this afternoon, and we can all thank this reporter for putting the thought into his head that he’s been useless against Detroit for a long time. Well, not really. Iginla should be focused on how his actual team is playing against Detroit and as they attempt to make a run for a playoff spot.

It’s not as if the Flames have been struggling mightily while Iginla has failed to score against Detroit. Their record against the Red Wings in the past 18 games, since the lockout, is 8-8-2. Certainly admirable, especially considering how good the Wings have been in that span.

And I wonder how many players across the NHL the past 15 years or so have said “Lidstrom is a big part of why I haven’t scored against the Red Wings in a while.”