The Detroit Red Wings unveiled their schedule this week, with their home opener set to take place against the New York Rangers on October 2. This year, things are a little different. Apart from the obvious elephant in the room, the NHL is debuting an 84 game regular season, something they haven't done since the 90s.
With that in mind, these five games are sure to be must-watch events:
Red Wings face off against Rangers in season opener
The first game of the season pits two retooling teams against one another. It'll be the first regular season game without Steve Yzerman as the general manager and - if a trade manifests itself - the first game without Dylan Larkin on the roster. It'll give a much clearer glimpse on the overall outlook the Red Wings will have on the season and, if things go right, a chance to see a few rookies make their full-time NHL debuts.
Dylan Larkin's first home game as a non-Red Wing
While the trade hasn't happened yet, it's a question of "when" more than it is an "if". Helene St. James revealed on the Jason Gregor show that the entire organization is furious with Larkin. When the trade does finally happen, there will come a time where Larkin makes his return to Little Caesar's Arena in a different jersey. The energy of the crowd will be nothing short of electric as fans let Larkin know how they truly feel about him.
The first game of March 2027
Is it going to happen again? For three years in a row, the Red Wings have collapsed in March, compiling one of the worst records in the NHL in that timespan. This time around, March starts on the 1st against the Toronto Maple Leafs. There are 14 games spread across 31 days in March, and that span will almost certainly be make or break for the Red Wings' postseason outlook (as it has the last three seasons).
November's showdown against Tampa
The Red Wings have hated the Tampa Bay Lightning for a long, long time, dating back to as early as the 2016 playoffs. Recent seasons have been no exception, with everything from full-blown brawls to intentional attempts at injury. While things have certainly cooled down since then, there's no doubt that any game against Tampa will have its fair share of physicality.
Patrick Kane's return to Detroit
If what former Red Wing Chris Chelios said is true, American legend Patrick Kane is currently torn between two teams: the Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres.
Chris Chelios says he has spoken to Patrick Kane and he truly is deciding between Buffalo and Chicago
(Via @thescorechicago) pic.twitter.com/abAtdddoAw
If Kane reunites with the Blackhawks, he'll return to Hockeytown on Thursday, October 29. If he decides to head home to the Sabres, his Little Caesar's Arena debut for Buffalo will have to wait until Sunday, February 21.
Without Kane on the roster, the Red Wings will need to figure out how to generate offensive output to make up for his absence. Fortunately, they've done a good job of acquiring even-strength scoring this offseason while adding some toughness to the lineup. How the team does without Kane (and how Kane does without the Red Wings) will have to wait until puck drop on October 2.
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