Total Eclipse of the Splash

 

One thing I can tell you for sure is that team web sites aren't unbiased news sources. The main headline is the preview for their homestand opener against the Wild. Sure, I guess that is fine. Until you realize this game was already played, and it ended as a heartbreaker for Detroit. 

Maybe everyone is off for Easter. 

Total Eclipse of the Splash

 

Oooh, commemorative ticket! The next best thing to actual tickets! 

Tweet of the Moment

 

Eyes on D-Boss.@sheetz x #LGRW pic.twitter.com/bBKxs7ZiM0

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 8, 2024

All eyes on Dylan Larkin, who has been a thorn in Toronto's side throughout his career. WATCH as he looks from side to side! MARVEL as he passes a couple of times! GASP as he skates a wide circle through center ice! Oh, watch him during the game. I get it now.

Is anyone happy in Detroit?

 We're in that magical week between Christmas and New Years, where most of us are going through the motions of work, if not submitting a full effort, or are at home with our families, perhaps waiting or hoping for things to get back to normal. The NHL returned from their holiday break yesterday, and for at least one team, the glow seems to already have worn off. 

Starting us off in Minny! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/PBZrAvncbN

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 28, 2023

Andrew Copp is downright angry to be back on the ice. Ben Chiarot has clearly been given some bad news. At least James Reimer is in the spirit of the holiday by being a grown up version of Scut Farkis. Maybe the vibes in Detroit are down as they find themselves in 5th place in the Atlantic, despite a hot start, or that they are relying on former rival Patrick Kane to help turn things around. Whatever the case, I hope you are looking for the new year in better spirits than the Detroit Red Wings.

Good things come to those who wait

 

Hockey technically started Tuesday night, but Thursday is the night that the season started for almost everyone else. Almost everyone else. The Winnipeg Jets and Detroit Red Wings were made to wait until Friday for their first action of the season. Grueling! In other leagues, the last teams to get going are often expected to be near the top of the standings, and their games are showcased. Detroit and Winnipeg were probably just last. 

The Red Wings started their season on Friday night with the Montreal Canadiens. These are certainly Cadillacs of the NHL (to put it in automotive terms), classic teams that have name recognition. They are also not as high quality as they used to be. No real hockey fan will clamor for Red Wings and Canadiens over any other pairing of team, except for the history. The Habs are terrible, and while the Wings are rebuilding, they are certainly not there yet. 

The Jets also drew an Original 6 team, one of the teams you might want to see of that group. Perhaps not on the second half of two nights in a row. The Jets opened with the Rangers, and did so as the 2nd feature of a New York back to back. The Jets won, which is nice, but it wasn't like this was a premier game. The Rangers were already on game three after playing two good teams to start their season, and were operating at a reduced capacity. 

Fans of Winnipeg and Detroit were made to wait longer than any other organization to get their season started, and they ere given a couple of less than premier games. At the very least, let both Detroit and Winnipeg share the excitement of a mutual opening night. Instead, the two squads don't play until January, at which point I'm sure we will have forgotten what the teams have in common.

Aside from a position in the standings outside of the playoffs. I guess that is one thought. Sure, these teams got their season started last, but they will be some of the first teams to start their offseason.