Detroit Red Wings on huge divisional game ahead: ‘Have to perform’
Detroit Red Wings Andrew Copp, Patrick Kane and Todd McLellan, Jan. 9, 2025, in Detroit.
Remember the Detroit Red Wings’ season opener? In case not, here’s a recap: The Wings stank.
That humbling 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens back on Oct. 9 gave the Atlantic Division rival a two-point start on the three-game season series, which continues Saturday, Jan. 10, when the Wings take on the Habs in Montreal. Since opening night, there hasn’t been much to separate the two storied Original Six franchises: The Wings are 26-15-4, tied at 56 points with the Canadiens (25-13-6).
“It’s a battle for first place, so not much more needs to be said than that,” Patrick Kane said after Friday’s practice. “I think they have a game in hand on us, so it’s two teams at the top of the division right now and competing for that spot. It’ll be a big game.”
The Wings are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games; the Habs, 7-1-2.
“They’re playing very well right now,” Andrew Copp said. “I think they just beat two pretty good teams back-to-back. They’re scoring goals and I think they’re kind of feeling it right now. It’ll be a great test for us.”
The Habs have won three straight games, beating the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars, while the Wings have won consecutive games, against the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks. (Beating the Canucks, 5-1, reduced the Wings’ goal differential to minus-1; they are the only team in the East inside the playoff picture with a negative number in that category.)
One thing that should help the Wings succeed at Bell Centre is starting better than they have of late. They slept-walked through last weekend’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, took advantage of inexperienced goaltending in Ottawa, and didn’t start well against the Canucks.
“It was a strength for a little bit there in December, and it’s kind of turned the other way on us,” Copp said. “I don’t think it’s anything to worry about too much, but we’ve got to be ready when the puck drops. We can’t just give away easy goals or momentum. We’ve taken a few penalties too. Those can happen, but I don’t think it’s anything crazy.”
Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper have been assessed penalties in the opening minutes of the last two games, which disrupts the flow of lines. But beyond that, the Wings haven’t put on a really top-notch, start-to-finish performance since beating the Washington Capitals back-to-back and then the Dallas Stars going into the Christmas break. And anything less than a determination and discipline isn’t likely to work against the Canadiens. And anything less than two points Saturday means the Habs will win the season series.
“If we want an opportunity to have a chance at winning a season series against Montreal, we have to perform,” coach Todd McLellan said. “And we know what’s ahead of us. They’re really playing well right now. Their ability to finish and make teams pay for mistakes, we saw that in game one here, is as good as probably anybody’s in the league right now.
“They’re playing well, and we’re going to have our hands full. But I’m sure we’re all looking forward to the task at hand.”
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