In Red Wings Land

Notes: Bertuzzi back versus the Flyers | DetroitRedWings.com

Once a staple in the days of the Original Six, playing a team back-to-back in a home-and-home affair led to some intense rivalries and memorable on-ice clashes.

Though the Wings are looking forward to this quirk in the schedule, they don’t expect the games to be a blood feud.

”It’ll be fun. It’ll be a good challenge,” Justin Abdelkader said. “Obviously both teams are trying to stay alive so it’ll be some good games. It’s tough. It’s a building that hasn’t treated the Red Wings good for a number of years.

That’s an understatement. The Wells Fargo Center has been a nightmare for Detroit aside from the inaugural season back in 1996-97. The Wings won their first three games there — one regular season and two Stanley Cup Final games — but since then they have a beautiful 1-14-0 record. The only win came via shootout in 2016.

Around the League

BEST OF THE NHL: EVERY TEAM LEADS THE LEAGUE IN … SOMETHING | The Hockey News

Detroit Red Wings: With the Wings’ 25-season playoff streak fading in the rearview mirror, Detroit’s in a rebuild and not exactly leading the league in much of anything. Look out when it comes to 3-on-3, though. The Wings are tied with Toronto and Winnipeg with six goals at 3-on-3, which helps to explain their impressive 7-2 record in games decided in overtime.

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