Octopus Thrower
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NHL 20 Simulation: Detroit Red Wings vs. Florida Panthers

By John Manzo

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 22: Justin Abdelkader #8 of the Detroit Red Wings battles for the puck with Mike Matheson #19 of the Florida Panthers during the second period at Little Caesars Arena on December 22, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Florida won the game 2-1. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 22: Justin Abdelkader #8 of the Detroit Red Wings battles for the puck with Mike Matheson #19 of the Florida Panthers during the second period at Little Caesars Arena on December 22, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Florida won the game 2-1. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Continuing our NHL 20 simulation series due to the NHL’s postponed season. How did the Detroit Red Wings fare against the Florida Panthers?

In a time where we’re all looking for positive news, I unfortunately cannot give you any.

The Detroit Red Wings took their second-straight NHL 20 loss in our simulation series since COVID-19 concerns forced commissioner Gary Bettman to postpone the season.

What I can do knowing you most likely don’t care about this fantasy land of video game-simulated hockey is make you laugh.

So that is what I’ll try to do. As if the Red Wings don’t do this enough already, right?

OK, OK, so, on Saturday it was a nail-biting 5-4 virtual loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning that had you yelling at your screen.

Yesterday, though, with Little Caesars Arena filled with virtual fans rocking in a virtual world looking ever so happy, the team failed to hold a lead. The Florida Panthers had leads of 1-0, 2-1, 4-2 and eventually 5-3 for the final.

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However, the virtual world is much more kind than the real one to forward Justin Abdelkader. He had a nice assist to, wait for it…Christoffer Ehn, who apparently is a video game cheat code, netting another goal, which now gives him two goals in as many games for the virtual Red Wings.

Back to Abdelkader, though. He earned a point. I repeat, he earned a point! It stinks not having hockey, but it especially makes me miss Abdelkader on Riley Sheahan goal-less watch. That continues, despite the assist.

I’m keeping this short and will leave you with this.

Robby Fabbri is still good virtually, picking up two assists to pace the team. Jonathan Bernier still doesn’t have defense in the video game. And Dmytro Timashov had an assist, and continues to showcase the many savvy moves from general manager Steve Yzerman.

The Red Wings are off (well, until further notice), but the virtual team heads west to take on the Arizona Coyotes, who are too distracted with the NFL free agent signing of DeAndre Hopkins to care about this game.

I know you’ll care about it, though. See you back Thursday.

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