The Detroit Red Wings now know who they're playing in the 2025-26 season and so do their fans. This year, the Wings hope to finally crush their playoff curse, and a few games they and the fans will circle in red reflect that drought.
Or, at least that's the case for a few on this 82-game slate. Anyway, let's break down which games, especially those early in the season, the fans can't wait to see their team play, whether they're at home in Hockeytown or on the road.
For this one, I'm giving away the first meeting between the Wings and the five teams they'll have circled in red. This is because, despite early-season matchups, tensions will surely run high for varying reasons.
1 - Florida Panthers
First Meeting: October 15th
Hey, if you want a true measuring stick of a contest, it involves going up against the defending Stanley Cup Champions. And not just the Cup Champions, but the back-to-back Champions.
That's what awaits the Wings when the Panthers fly into Little Caesars Arena in Game 5 of this 82-game slate that they hope to expand into at least late April. And one way to build that confidence early in the season is to get the best of the Panthers.
2 - Toronto Maple Leafs
First Meeting: October 11th
You're going to get tired of hearing me utter the old, "to be the best, you gotta beat the best" cliche. But the Toronto Maple Leafs were the class of the Atlantic Division in 2024-25, even if the Panthers got the best of them in the playoffs.
And the Wings have a chance to upset them twice early in the season, since they'll also face the Leafs on October 13th in addition to their meeting on October 11th.
The Maple Leafs will also have a bit of a new look to them, since it'll be the first time in a while that they're opening the season without Mitch Marner. But with an up and coming Matthew Knies, they won't be any easier to beat.
Still, if the Wings want the rest of the league to take them with more than a grain of salt, they need to find ways to get the best of the best. That includes Florida, but it also includes Toronto.
3 - Edmonton Oilers
First Meeting: October 19th
Our third and final measuring stick game of the slate has the Red Wings squaring off with the Edmonton Oilers. Just as with the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs, you got the "if you want to be the best you gotta beat the best" mentality here.
As with Toronto and Florida, it won't be long until the Red Wings get their first test with the Oilers, as they'll be hosting them on October 19th. And chances are, the Oilers will still be angry at the world for dropping their second straight Stanley Cup Final.
Want more fun? The Red Wings, who struggled defensively, will be stuck facing Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Company. But on the flip side, the Oilers are still weak in the net. And that could let the Wings put up goals early and often.
4 - Buffalo Sabres
First Meeting: October 22nd
Remember that brawl on March 12th in a game that the Red Wings won 7-3? Yeah, me too. And it's one reason why I'm looking forward to this matchup.
But you also have two teams who are No. 1 and No. 2 with the dishonor of holding the NHL's longest playoff droughts. That's not a drought either team is particularly interested in, and it means that, ideally, a playoff appearance next season for the Wings can end the Sabres threat of making it to the postseason before them.
And finally, there's been some player movement, with Jacob Bernard-Docker coming to Detroit in free agency while Alex Lyon heads to Buffalo. Still, that fight last season and the brewing rivalry that is was the main catalyst for putting the Sabres here.
5 - Chicago Blackhawks
First Meeting: November 9th
Oh yes, we're going from a currently heated rival to a....well....I wouldn't call the Chicago Blackhawks a former rival by any stretch. Even if these two teams have played in different conferences for over a decade at this point, there's still a lot of bad blood between the two when they meet up.
And once again, the Wings and Hawks are two rebuilding teams, even if the Red Wings should be light years ahead of them. But this one will come with a little extra, as there's still Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat forging a dynamic duo in the Motor City, and the fact the Wings will be playing against Jeff Blashill, their former coach.
And if you remember correctly, Blashill just wasn't that good in Detroit, overseeing the first six seasons of its playoff drought. But in all fairness, he also didn't have much to work with. Oh, and both teams will also be celebrating their respective centennial seasons. That's a big deal.
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