The Detroit Red Wings are off on Tuesday, but their opponent to close out the year on New Year's Eve is a deceptive one. The Winnipeg Jets, who won the Presidents' Trophy last season, look like they're heading for the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes. But let's not change the narrative on them that quickly.
Winnipeg is struggling through the worst season imaginable, with 34 points in 37 contests, putting them just one rung above the Chicago Blackhawks in the Central Division. But if the Wings make the mistake in thinking this is a completely different Jets team on Wednesday night, they got another thing coming.
The good news? Detroit has been playing tough teams well all season. If they play the Jets the same way they played the Toronto Maple Leafs, they should be fine. But they have no choice but to bring their A-game against a team that, despite their poor points total, can get hot at any time.
Detroit Red Wings have a massive Atlantic Division problem at midseason
The Wings have 49 points in 40 games, and the last-place Toronto Maple Leafs have 40 points in 38 contests. That's how close this division race is.
The Buffalo Sabres have won nine games in a row and suddenly look like the most formidable hockey team in the league, the Florida Panthers have found their groove, the Tampa Bay Lightning are hot again, and the Montreal Canadiens, somehow, have navigated their debacle of a situation with injuries and spotty goaltending and remain a threat.
Each of those teams are behind the Red Wings by five or fewer points. That's big, and it makes that seemingly low-stakes game on Wednesday even more important for the Wings. On Tuesday night, Toronto plays the New Jersey Devils while the Canadiens and Panthers square off. If Toronto wins, go ahead and raise the stakes another two notches.
There's good news for the Red Wings despite the madness
There's hardly a better team in hockey in one-score games than the Red Wings. Regardless of how tough the opponent is, if the Wings manage to keep matchups tied late or if they're up or down by a goal in the final frame, feel free to get optimistic. Detroit rarely disappoints in these scenarios.
Bob Heyrman outlined why Justin Faulk would be an outstanding fit for the Red Wings should the St. Louis Blues pawn him off to Detroit. Hey, blue line depth with a veteran like Faulk, while youngsters like Simon Edvinsson, Axel Sandin-Pellikke, and Albert Johansson keep gaining experience? We can sign up for that.
In Monday's roundup, I discussed how the Red Wings keep managing to bounce back against teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs following big losses, how Patrick Kane fared in his return, and I covered some pieces from our team here at Octopus Thrower. If you missed it, definitely give it a look. It's more than worth the read.