Detroit Red Wings: Analyzing the 2017-18 Schedule in October
By Daniel Garza
The Detroit Red Wings schedule starts off in October as the National Hockey League regular season gets underway. Here’s a look at the month for the Wings.
In total, the Red Wings will play eight away games and five home games in October. It is a fairly entertaining slate of games in the opening month of the season, including a Halloween game against the Arizona Coyotes on the final day of October. Seven of the 13 games will be against Eastern Conference opponents and the other six are against Western Conference teams.
Away Away Away
October will be a travel heavy month for the Wings as they will hit a four-game road trip immediately following the home opener against the Minnesota Wild. They will begin the trip against the Ottawa Senators for a Hockey Night in Canada battle. After the quick trip north, they quickly switch directions for a three games in the west, beginning with the Dallas Stars.
One of the highlights of this trip out west will be their first ever game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Former Red Wings’ players Tomas Nosek and Teemu Pulkkinen will likely be in the lineup for the expansion side.
Another road trip comes at the end of the month as the Wings will face the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers in the span of five days. A crucial early road trip to start off the season.
High Quality Games
Fans will get to see some of the stars of the NHL at the new Little Caesars Arena right away. The Washington Capitals visit on Oct. 20 as Alex Ovechkin comes to town. An Oct. 16 game against the Lightning will also be a hot ticket as the two teams usually produce entertaining games.
A middle of the month match-up against the Toronto Maple Leafs will be the first time the Wings get to face Auston Matthews and the resurgent Leafs.
Full Schedule
Thursday, Oct 5 vs. Minnesota Wild
Saturday, Oct 7 at Ottawa Senators
Tuesday, Oct 10 at Dallas Stars
Thursday, Oct 12 at Arizona Coyotes
Friday, Oct 13 at Vegas Golden Knights
Monday, Oct 16 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Wednesday, Oct 18 at Toronto Maple Leafs
Friday, Oct 20 vs. Washington Capitals
Sunday, Oct 22 vs. Vancouver Canucks
Tuesday, Oct 24 at Buffalo Sabres
Thursday, Oct 26 at Tampa Bay Lightning
Saturday, Oct 28 at Florida Panthers
Tuesday, Oct 31 vs. Arizona Coyotes