The Detroit Red Wings can play spoiler this season in more ways than one, and some of that will come in the middle of the year. See, the Wings are celebrating Season No. 100, and so are the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers.
But I want to focus on the Wings classic and arguably most heated rival, Chicago. The Hawks recently unveiled four chapters for their Centennial Celebration, and on December 13th, they picked the game vs. Detroit to cap off their celebration of the good old "Madhouse on Madison."
Fans probably remember how loud that place was and how much they hated it when the Wings had to play there. Well, for one, kudos to the Hawks and the NHL for picking the right team to play against. I mean, there's no better opponent out there than the Wings, given the history both franchises had over at the Madhouse.
And I'm sure the Hawks and their fans will say the same about all the times they had to play, or watch the team play at "The Old Red Barn" known as Olympia Stadium. Yeah, back in the days when these arenas actually looked good and not the multi-purpose eyesores they've turned into.
Red Wings have a chance to spoil the Blackhawks festivities on December 13th
As the Hawks look to cap off celebrating the old Madhouse with a W over the Wings, this one gives Detroit a perfect opportunity to remind the Hawks where they currently stand in the NHL. Sure, Detroit might be in the middle of "Dead Wings Era II," but goodness, at least the group Steve Yzerman's put onto the ice is watchable.
You can't say the same thing about the Hawks, given what we've seen from them over the past few seasons. And that's just me being honest.
No, the Wings probably aren't making the playoffs this season, but they also aren't as far from making some postseason noise and putting an end to this exhausting drought. Still, playing spoiler's satisfying during these long seasons when you know it'd take a miracle and a half just to see some hockey in the back end of April.
So, if the Hawks and the NHL chose to play the Wings in the Madhouse celebration's finale, it's an opportunity for Detroit to get some more bragging rights over a team they only meet twice a year these days. And, on paper at least, your Wings have the advantage in this one.
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