The Detroit Red Wings are in the danger zone of transforming into the 2024-25 version of what the 2023-24 Sabres were, but tonight, there’s a golden opportunity for the Wings to strike back. Lately, Buffalo has been doing what they do best, and that’s to be the NHL’s lovable losers with yet another loss last night to a struggling NY Islanders team.
Buffalo is 0-2-0 since its 5-3 win over the Wings, and have allowed nine goals in those two contests. For a team struggling to get anything going offensively, Detroit should be more than ready to turn the tide tonight.
Buffalo had Devon Levi in the net in last night’s loss to New York, so the Wings will face Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, barring anything unforeseen happening. They’ll also face a tired Sabres team that will make the short flight to the Motor City. Meanwhile, the Wings have enjoyed a two-day break, so they should be recharged, refueled, and raring to go.
Red Wings cannot let this golden opportunity vs. the Sabres slip
If Detroit loses tonight, they will more than have their work cut out for them as a 4-6-1 record and nine points in their first 11 games would guarantee this team multiple games (four-plus points) behind the third-place Toronto Maple Leafs.
That could still be the case, nonetheless, if the Leafs beat the St. Louis Blues, but a win would at least keep Detroit four points behind Toronto in a worst-case scenario. If they lose, a six-point deficit, even this early in the season, could give us the golden ticket to start giving that panic button a longer look.
No, we don’t need to press it in early November, but it’ll make its presence more than known. It would be one thing if the Wings were facing the mighty Florida Panthers tonight, as stealing one from the Stanley Cup Champions would be nothing short of a miracle at this point.
But playing a weak hockey team like the Sabres, a group that once again looks like it’s destined for a one-way ticket to an 82-game schedule? Under the present circumstances, this one should be a shoo-in for the Wings, and it’s a game they can’t let slip away tonight.
Again, they won’t face serious ramifications yet with the season still so young, but that panic button will turn a little more crimson. So, let’s avoid the less-than-ideal situation, take care of the Sabres, and build some momentum heading into November’s slate of games.