Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) is congratulated by teammates Darren Helm (43) and Tomas Holmstrom (96) of Sweden after their 3-2 win in an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Detroit, Thursday, April 1, 2010.

AP photo

Detroit's professional hockey and basketball teams are headed in opposite directions as their regular seasons near a close.

The Red Wings won their seventh straight game Thursday, beating Columbus, 3-2, on a disputed goal. Goalie Jimmy Howard continues to shine for the Wings, who are 14-2-1 in their last 17 games.

The Pistons are in much worse shape. They'll try to avoid their 10th straight loss tonight against Phoenix, and Charlie Villanueva was still frustrated a day after his recent benching.

Villanueva looks like a major free-agent bust, but the Pistons could land a gem in the draft if they keep losing. Kentucky guard John Wall could declare for the draft in the next week or two.

Here's the rest of today's pro links:

FOOTBALL
• Cleveland.com: Big Baby Shaun Rogers made a big boo-boo, bringing a loaded gun to the airport. The former Lion was arrested Thursday.
• ESPN.com: He's better off if the Lions don't draft him, no doubt, but Gerald McCoy has the makings of a star.
• NFL.com: Bucky Brooks' fourth mock draft has the Lions taking Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung with the No. 2 pick.

BASEBALL
• Detroit Free Press: The Tigers swept their final two exhibition games in Grapefruit League play.
• New York Times: Former Tiger Curtis Granderson will play center field as a Yankee.
• Philly.com: The Phillies have reason to worry about the health of closer Brad Lidge.

GOLF
• New York Post: Tiger Woods is $10 million poorer.
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Dr. J should have stuck with basketball.

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.