Sure, it may be too much to ask of the rebuilding Detroit Red Wings, but …
Dare to dream.
The playoffs are out of reach, but with 11 regular-season games remaining during the NHL’s pandemic shortened season and the new-look club beginning to play with discipline, poise, and structure, the question just two weeks ago would have been treated as a joke – or sarcasm.
Today, it’s something to consider.
Do the Red Wings have a chance to finish 2020-21 with a .500 record?
OK … OK …
When you stop laughing, consider they enter tonight’s rematch with the Chicago Blackhawks at 16-23-6. Mathematically, it’s possible.
After tonight’s Original Six encounter, the Red Wings play four consecutive games against the under-performing Dallas Stars and one against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The way they have played during their current three-game winning streak, they could go on a run and take all six.
Dare to dream, right?
if that situation played out, the Red Wings’ record would be one win shy of the break-even mark.
With five matches to go, the next three would be against Central Division leaders, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Tampa Bay Lightning (two). For the sake of the debate, let’s say they captured one of those three.
The Red Wings’ final two will be at the Blue Jackets, both winnable.
That would put the Red Wings at 25-25-6.
Have you stopped laughing, yet?
It’s possible.
Dare to dream.
Red Wings Notes
The Red Wings have scored three or more goals in three straight games for the first time since Nov. 2019. … The Red Wings were called for two too-many-men-on-the-ice penalties during Thursday. And they almost were called for a third. … Defenseman Troy Stecher, who appeared to be more aggressive in the offensive zone Thursday, registered his first multi-goal effort Thursday. … Fourth-line winger Adam Erne has recorded a point in eight consecutive outings. … Today is second-line center Michael Rasmussen’s birthday.