Red Wings face Chicago at the Joe Louis Arena Monday Night

Detroit (44-22-9) is closing in on its 20th straight playoff berth, and holds a five-point lead over Nashville in the division race. The Red Wings are also tied with Pacific Division leader San Jose in the race for the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed.

Chicago (40-26-8 ), meanwhile, will begin a three-game trip in eighth place in the West. The Blackhawks are one point ahead of Calgary and two in front of Dallas.

The last defending Stanley Cup champion to miss the playoffs was Carolina in 2006-07.

Jimmy Howard made 15 saves Saturday before leaving 6:11 into the third period when Toronto’s Joffrey Lupul fell on him during Detroit’s 4-2 victory. The goalie is day-to-day after an MRI revealed no major damage to his left shoulder.

General manager Ken Holland says Howard should be able to return next weekend, if not Wednesday night against St. Louis. The Red Wings plan to call up Thomas McCollum from Toledo of the ECHL to back up goalie Joey MacDonald in the meantime.