Hey folks, did you know that since 2005 the correlation between being within four points of a playoff spot at the break for American Thanksgiving and making the playoffs by the end of the season is very high? If not, then congrats on having watched Fox Sports Detroit on mute all season.
Here’s the Wings’ week ahead. For what it’s worth, I’m not sure it’s mathematically possible for the Wings to fall more than four points out of the chase by Thursday so yay?
Sunday – Escape from St. Louis
The Wings just finished playing three games in four nights and six in nine (nice). They’re off today by rule of the CBA. The NHL has four games on the schedule, but only one Atlantic Division team is in action; the division-leading Canadiens welcome the Islanders to town at 7pm.
Monday – Garfield’s Bane
More rest for our boys in red (and also for the kids in Grand Rapids). Take time today to appreciate the little things in life, like a short work week ahead of you. Division games include STL-BUF (7pm), BOS-TOR (7:30), and LAK-FLA (7:30)
Tuesday – Gametime Eve!
Still nothing for the Wings or Griffins, as we prepare to forget we even have a hockey team due to this crazy THREE DAY BREAK in the action. OTT-DAL and CGY-ANA are the only games on the schedule.
Wednesday – Red Wings vs. Bruins (7:30pm on FSD)
I think the worst Wings’ game of the entire season might have come against the Bruins in Boston, as the Wings got their asses skated over in a 3-1 loss. Detroit will be looking to avenge that and stay ahead of Boston in the standings on the game that isn’t the Wednesday Night Rivalry Night game (thankfully) because of PHI-NYI. If you’re still in the mood to watch hockey after that game is over, you’ll have the pleasure of having a reason to root for Colorado on Wednesday night, as they’re taking on Ottawa.
Thursday – Happy Thanksgiving!
Go give thanks for being alive and stuff. We’ll be at our dinner table giving thanks for all of you. Sorry, Canadians, but this is what you get for celebrating Thanksgiving too early. No hockey for you.
Friday – Red Wings vs. Oilers (7:30pm on FSD+)
Ok, maybe the loss in Edmonton was the worst Wings game of the season. Just to be on the safe side, we should try to avenge that one too when the Oilers come to visit. Best the Wings can do is a season series split against a team that can’t stay out of the lottery basement. Tampa also takes on Washington, Boston hosts the Rangers, Montreal heads to New Jersey, and Florida hosts the Isles on a busy Friday afternoon/night.
Saturday – Finish your shopping and put up the decorations
24 out of 30 teams are in action, but not the Red Wings so who cares? WSH-TOR (7pm), NJD-MTL (7pm), NYI-TBL (7pm), BUF-NSH (8pm), and OTT-ARI (10pm) are the diision rivalry games if you want to spend a lot of time on Saturday night channel surfing and rooting for a bunch of Metro/Western teams.
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So that’s it, just two Wings games this week. That should give you plenty of time to drop hints to your family about how much you’d like a Dylan Larkin jersey.
