Crossing The NHL’s Atlantic Division: Week 18
By Tim Bayer
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Red Wings
By John Evans of Octopus Thrower
The Red Wings have been flirting with a playoff spot this past week, which is better than they had been doing lately. They’ve been playing without their top three forwards (Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen) as well as starting goalie Jimmy Howard. The younger replacements from Grand Rapids are providing hope, but hope doesn’t get you two points. The past week wasn’t awful for the Wings, but at this point in the season the teams ahead of you losing is just as important as your team winning.
Detroit started the week off optimistically with a shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks, followed by a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadians. This momentum was stunted by a shootout loss to the Florida Panthers, and was dead and buried after a 5-0 pounding at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Detroit should have a chance to bounce back this week with a home-and-home series with the Washington Capitals, a visit by the Vancouver Canucks, and starting an Atlantic Division road trip with a journey down to Florida. This week will provide opportunities to make up points in the Atlantic, but considering a wildcard spot, the Metropolitan Division will be just as important. Here’s hoping the Wings veterans are healthy soon.