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The Detroit Red Wings kick-off another season filled with playoff expectations tonight at the Joe Louis Arena when they host the Boston Bruins. (FSN Detroit, 7:30pm ET)
After last season’s struggle to overcome numerous injuries to front-line players in order to just reach the postseason for the 23rd consecutive NHL season, the Red Wings were dispatched by the Bruins in five games last spring in their opening round playoff series.
Despite that disappointment, the Red Wings return with plenty of optimism heading into this season. Most importantly, the Red Wings believe their team can do some substantial damage in the Eastern Conference
IF they can remain relatively healthy. After last season’s endless parade of players to the injured reserve, the belief is that
Although seeing
Pavel Datsyuk go down with a sprained shoulder early on in the preseason that will keep him out of tonight’s opener, he does not appear to be far off from returning. Meanwhile,
Henrik Zetterberg, who is celebrating his 34th birthday today, appears to be 100% healthy after getting the proper procedure done to alleviate the chronic back pain he encountered for several years.
The upside to last season’s struggle came in the form of several young forwards making substantial strides when given the opportunity and playing time. The continued maturation and improvement from guys like Sheahan, Tatar, Jurco and Nyquist is what will provide the Red Wings with an opportunity to return to the promised land.
This season, it appears that several rearguards are ready to take a similar jump, which can only improve the hockey club. After
Danny DeKeyser’s impressive first full season as a professional last year with the Red Wings, bigger things are expected from not only him but
Brendan Smith, who had a fantastic training camp and preseason. In addition,
Xavier Ouellet’s demotion to Grand Rapids earlier this week appears as if it will be a short-lived experience, as the Red Wings are actively pursuing avenues to move
Jakub Kindl to free up a roster spot for the impressive youngster Ouellet to claim the full-time job he has earned with the hockey club.
In goal,
Jimmy Howard’s play thus far in the preseason provides a glimmer of hope that he will return to the form that earned him his long-term contract from the Red Wings. Perhaps just as important however, the Red Wings have
Petr Mrazek waiting in Grand Rapids, eager to pounce on an opportunity to become the full-time starter should Howard fail or get injured.
The Boston Bruins come into town on the heels of a hard fought 2-1 home victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night. It begins not only the season but one of the most difficult stretches of the season for the Red Wings, as their October schedule of games certainly will test their mettle immediately. Saturday night’s home contest against last season’s 2nd overall team in the regular season, the Anaheim Ducks, is sandwiched by two home affairs against the President Trophy winning Bruins.
A likely emotional home-and-home series with the Toronto Maple Leafs follows. The Wings wrap up the month with a trip to last season’s semi-finalist in the Montreal Canadiens, host
Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, get a slight breather perhaps in facing the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals before a home Halloween matchup with the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.
A strong start would only enhance this team’s confidence going forward in what should shape up to be quite the battle in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division with the Bruins, Lightning and Canadiens likely being the three teams attempting to stand in the way of the Red Wings claiming a division title and home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.
We have a six month journey to determine the outcome....and it all begins TONIGHT!!!
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Based on Wednesday’s practice and the early reports from the morning skate today, here are the expected lines and pairings for the Red Wings:
Projected Lines:
Abdelkader - Zetterberg - Franzen
Jurco - Sheahan - Tatar
Nyquist - Helm - Nestrasil
Miller - Andersson - Glendening
Kronwall - Ericsson
DeKeyser - Kindl
Quincey - Smith
Howard
Gustavsson
Scratches:
Cleary
Weiss
Lashoff
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Previous Posts
Roster movement almost complete
Dress rehearsal #1
Nick Jensen...the forgotten man amongst the Wings rearguard prospects
Datsyuk out 4-5 weeks with second degree shoulder sprain
Injuries begin in earnest for the Red Wings
The Anthony Mantha Experience on hold
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