The Detroit Red Wings did not enjoy a successful October, and their performance in Week 4 didn’t do them any favors. But the Wings haven’t played so poorly that fans need to start panicking, and another so-so November also shouldn’t entice the panic button to fully emerge just yet.
But a very average month akin to what they struggled through in October will raise the urgency level as the early stages of the playoff race formulate. That said, a less-than-stellar November wouldn’t be good enough to brew confidence that 2024-25 will be any different from the previous seasons this decade and even in the latter half of the 2010s.
So, if the Red Wings want a successful month of November, what must it entail? For one, and this is the obvious take, they need to win games against teams they’re supposed to beat. The Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, NY Islanders (twice), and Calgary Flames (they’re not that good, honestly) are all on the slate.
Realistically, they won’t win against all of the above teams, but they need to take the two points in most of them. I would expect no less than five wins here and at least one overtime loss. It could be high expectations for some, but the Wings are supposed to take that next step, and winning most of these games is the fastest way to take it.
Red Wings need to pull off some serious upsets for a successful November
To their credit, the Red Wings started the month strong with a win over the Buffalo Sabres, so they’re on the right track. But winning five games against the teams listed above, plus their W against the Blue and Gold would net them six wins in November, so they also need to beat a few squads that they were supposed to contend with this season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs look vulnerable, and I expect the Wings to give their division rivals north of the border all they can handle, especially if we see a few players step up their respective games. The NY Rangers are one of the best teams in the NHL, and the LA Kings are surging, so these contests are opportunities for the Wings to prove they belong in the league’s upper echelon.
Like the Leafs, the Boston Bruins are vulnerable, and like the Rangers, the New Jersey Devils have more than found their rhythm, but that opportunistic mentality must be there against all the teams I’ve mentioned. No, the Wings won’t win anywhere near all of these contests unless they embark on an unforeseen hot streak.
A successful November 2024 would ultimately look like…
Fortunately for them, it’s not necessary for a successful November. What is necessary, however, is for this team to win two of those contests against surefire postseason contenders and score a loser/bonus point.
That said, for a successful penultimate month to the calendar year, I want to see eight wins and a pair of overtime losses here. So, for November to set the stage and foreshadow a successful December, they’ll need to finish the month 8-3-2, good for 18 points. Now, let’s see them make that happen.