After falling to the Blue Jackets in a 5-2 meltdown the Red Wings are gearing up for Round 2 as the NHL Stadium Series arrives just in time for the meteorological spring. It’s funny, because I always start counting down the days until March 1st starting on Christmas Day, but this year, I counted down to this big event going on at the Horseshoe.
Makes sense, right? But wow, back in December, I never would’ve imagined the Blue Jackets would be as hot as they are, with a sparkling record at home and a high-octane offense to go with it. That said, the Wings got their work cut out for them, but if their brethren in nearby Ann Arbor could go into the Horseshoe and steal a game, so can they.
Anyway, if you’re unsure how to get your Red Wings fix and view what will be one of the more aesthetically pleasing matchups out there, don’t fear. Here is how you can tune into the big game with and without cable.
What time does the Stadium Series begin?
You can catch the Stadium Series at 6:00 PM Eastern Time, 5:00 PM Central. Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect time if you ask me, as we’ll still have a bit of daylight left before the twilight fades into a black canvas overhead and most of the game will be played under the lights.
How to watch the Stadium Series with and without cable?
If you got cable and you’re in the States, ESPN will be your go-to. If you’re in Canada, check out the action on either FX-CA or TVAS-D. You can also catch the action on ESPN+, Disney+, or Sportsnet+. You can also stream the game at fuboTV.
fuboTV has live NHL games on ESPN which you can stream from your phone, television, and all your favorite devices. This is a service that broadcasts live TV over the internet, no cable is required. Watch your favorite teams, network shows, news, and movies on 100+ channels. Plus on-demand entertainment including full TV series. fuboTV is currently available in the United States, Canada, and Spain.
Storylines for the Red Wings and Blue Jackets
For the Red Wings, it’s all about maintaining focus and tuning out the noise. There’s going to be a lot of blue in the scarlet-clad stands cheering for what might be the NHL’s most surprising team this season, so they’re heading into a hostile atmosphere at Ohio Stadium.
The Wings will also need to figure out how to stop this high-octane Blue Jackets team that has scored 200 times this season. It was something the Red Wings saw first-hand on Thursday night, and if they can’t figure it out this time, it will be a long evening in Columbus.
As for the Blue Jackets, they need to keep playing their brand of hockey, but they also can’t let the Red Wings get hot. And it’s not like the Wings haven’t found their high-octane ways since Todd McLellan took over, so don’t be surprised if this one is a high-scoring matchup.
The Blue Jackets have also allowed roughly 29.2 shots on goal per game and while that’s not a bad number, its goaltending and defensive play is still suspect. Making plays when they don’t have puck possession is a must for a Blue Jackets team whose success has been very one-sided.