Crossing The NHL’s Atlantic Division: Week 24

Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Red Wings

By John Evans of Octopus Thrower

This week can be described as somewhat disastrous for the Detroit Red Wings.

It started off dropping a tough game to the Colorado Avalanche 3-2. They bounced back well enough with Jonas Gustavsson in net against the New Jersey Devils. It’s a little concerning that they allowed four goals but they scored seven for the win, so that’s cool right? Not even close. The New York Rangers dropped Detroit on Sunday 3-0. This went from bad to worse when Jimmy Howard came down with the flu and was reportedly vomiting right before Tuesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. With their third-string goalie in net, the Blue Jackets dropped Detroit 4-1. This was one of the most important games of the season thus far, as they Wings and BJs were tied for a playoff spot. Detroit is now, once again, on the outside looking in and every game is going to count that much more.

Detroit also suffered at the hands of Blake Comeau Tuesday night. Tomas Jurco suffered a broken rib from Comeau’s crosscheck and Brendan Smith took a nasty boarding hit from him as well, for which Comeau was later suspended.

Detroit’s next game is a showdown with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. If the Wings plan on continuing their playoff streak into a 23rd season, they sure have their work cut out for them.