Detroit Red Wings key dates,matchups,and rivalries
Being a member of the NHL’s original 6, the Detroit Red Wings have a rather extensive list of rivals. Not all of them are heated but are considered rivals none the less. With the rebuilding Red Wings, this is a time when a new generation of Detroit hockey will begin to familiarize themselves with their foe’s.
As any Detroit Red Wings fans can and will tell you, mention any of this franchises rivals, it begins and ends with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Anytime the Wings and Leafs play it is a must-see game. The hockey gods must have been in high gear. The two teams match up the second week of the regular season. Thursday, October 11.
They also hook up in Toronto Thursday, December 6 as well as February 1 which is a Thursday. Expect many Windsorites to invade Little Caesars Arena for the Detroit games.
The Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals, who are not a rival so to speak but get a shout out due to being Cup champs. Red Wings fans will see Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie and rest of the Caps beginning in Tuesday, December 11. The Caps will be in Detroit Sunday, January 6.
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Former Detroit Wings legend and current Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman will see his team face off against the Wings starting October 18. The two teams will square off again December 4 as well as March 9.
To me, this is a good rivalry, going back to the Abdelkader/ Blunden playoff brawl in 2016. This is a team the Detroit Red Wings need to strive to be. They remind fans of old Red Wings teams with they’re style play.
Another good rival is our dear friends in Chicago. The Blackhawks, yes the Detroit Red Wings face them in the preseason, but our focus is the regular season. However, the preseason game is Thursday, September 20. All games in Detroit except for some weekend games begin at 7:30 pm.
The Wings hold a 406–312–84–14 all-time series edge against the Hawks. Part of the rivalry stems from the fact that James Norris owned both franchises until his 1953 death. The teams were then split between his sons.
As it goes, Detroit fans have always been less than kind to Chicago players. It has been known that a brawl or two had broken out over the years between players an fans. So this is a MUST see game whenever the two teams meet. This seasons meeting is Sunday, February 10. Savor it. I know I will.
Then there is the always hated crybaby. Sidney Crosby, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. While not a real rival. They have Crosby, so they earn a spot in must-see matchups. Like the Blackhawks, the Wings have a preseason game vs. the Tuxedo chickens Wednesday, September 19. Otherwise, December 27 and April 2 are dates to remember.
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The best thing for the young Detroit Red Wings hockey team is to face the absolute best teams the NHL has to offer. To face them, to lose to them and yes, that is right I said to lose to them. This can do nothing but help the remodeled Red Wings begin to see what it takes to beat the best and in time become the best.