The Detroit Red Wings are in playoff contention as the end of November nears, but are they a true contender or just a pretender as the season goes on?
The Red Wings have played good hockey so far this season, and I don’t want to be negative, but they haven’t exactly had great showings night in and night out against the top teams in the NHL.
Early in the season, after a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, the Red Wings lost to the Boston Bruins 5-1 the next game. Four days later, the Buffalo Sabres pumped Detroit 8-3.
I am not saying we should discredit the good that has come from the early season success, but the fact is the team hasn’t proved they can play well consistently.
The Detroit Red Wings test against the Toronto Maple Leafs will say a lot
Toronto is currently ahead of Detroit in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference, and a win on Monday night won’t put the Red Wings ahead of the Maple Leafs. Still, it could tell us a lot more about where the team is actually at.
Toronto is filled with superstars and the capability of filling the back of the net, as they have 69 goals so far this season.
A win, or even a close game, which the Red Wings have had a lot of this season, would give us more of an indication that this team is a true contender.
Are they a contender to win the Stanley Cup? No, definitely not. But are they a contender to make the playoffs? Yes, they have the chance to be.
Detroit is entering a very important part of their schedule that will greatly impact whether they will still be labeled as a contender for a playoff spot or fall into the pretender category.
The Red Wings host the Maple Leafs Monday night at Little Caesars Arena. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 pm. You can watch the game on Bally Sports Detroit.