Round 6: Detroit v. Nashville
Things are getting interesting near the top of the standings. The Preds are in first place with 98 points. Detroit has 95 points but Anaheim also has 95 points. The Wings have a game in hand compared to both teams, so this week could be where we see some movement in the standings.
Detroit plays four games over the next eight days, all against solid competition. The first two games of course will be against Nashville. Matt over at On the Wings points out that things could get ugly early for Detroit:
One thing that does not bode well for the game tonight, given the Wings’ tendency toward especially slow starts lately, is the Predators penchant for first period goals. Nashville leads the league, with 86 of their 236 goals in the opening 20 minutes. They’ve allowed only 51. The Wings are 20th with 54 scored in the first.
If Detroit plays as poorly over the next 8 days as they have of late then talk of winning the division and conference can probably end. I don’t think having the #1 seed is hugely important but I wouldn’t mind seeing the team have home ice advantage. The team is going to have to start putting in a consistent effort if that is still going to be anything other than a pipe dream after this week.
Other than playoff seeding, the big date on the horizon is the March 22 home date against Columbus. That is when it is believed Detroit will have its full complement of players for the first time since early in the season.
Injuries have decimated the Wings, and no player on the injured list is expected back before the end of the Canadian trip (Canucks on Saturday, Flames on March 20).
Like Mike Babcock likes to say, the team that works the hardest wins 95% of the time. It would be a great morale boost if the team could come out of the next 8 days either alone atop the conference or at least still within striking distance. Then they would get nearly every one of their injured players back and would be in position to sharpen up for the playoffs.
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[…] On Monday I mentioned that I felt the eight days from March 13 - March 20 were going to be important for the team’s chances to win the division and get home ice. By taking both games from Nashville Detroit is in good shape to finish strong. They have two tough games coming up against Vancouver and Calgary. If they can gut those games out they will really be in good shape to contend for the top spot in the Western Conference. Jiri Hudler Kirk Maltby Nicklas Lidstrom Red Wings […]