The Blue Jackets might have surprised some with their fast start.
A year after finishing second-to-last in the Central Division, the Blue Jackets are in second place, behind the Wings.
Wings coach Mike Babcock thinks the Blue Jackets will continue to play at a high level, thanks to second-year coach Ken Hitchcock.
"You know, Hitch has been successful everywhere he's been," Babcock said. "There's no reason he's not going to be successful. Plus, when you've been drafting as high as they have for as long as they have, you've got to be good."
Through Wednesday, Blue Jackets goalie Pascal Leclaire led the league in goals-against average (1.12) save percentage (.957) and shutouts (five).
"Fifteen games into it," Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom said, "it's pretty impressive to have that many."
The Blue Jackets' defense will be a good challenge for the Wings' forwards.
"When you go through it, they've got an organized group that's going to be prepared and that's going to make it real hard on us," Babcock said.