The Detroit Red Wings are falling in line with most of the NHL and moving the start times for home weekday games from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Wings announced the new start times for 20 weekday home games Monday, 10 days before their first game of the season. That one, on Oct. 14, against the Montreal Canadiens, will start at 7.
“Based on feedback from fans, season ticket members, hockey operations staff, and club partners, we’re confident the 7:00 p.m. start for weekday games will be a welcomed change,” Chris McGowan, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, said in a statement.
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The other 7 p.m. weekday home starts are:
Oct. 17, Los Angeles Kings
Oct. 25, New Jersey Devils
Nov. 3, Washington Capitals
Nov. 8, Montreal Canadiens
Nov. 19, New York Rangers
Nov. 23, Nashville Predators
Nov. 28, Toronto Maple Leafs
Nov. 30, Buffalo Sabres
Dec. 3, Vegas Golden Knights
Dec. 13, Carolina Hurricanees
Dec. 21, Tampa Bay Lightning
Dec. 31, Ottawa Senators
Jan. 4, New Jersey Devils
Jan. 10, Winnipeg Jets
Jan. 12, Toronto Maple Leafs
Jan. 24, San Jose Sharks
Feb. 9, Calgary Flames
Feb. 23, New York Rangers
March 2, Seattle Kraken
March 20, Florida Panthers
March 28, Pittsburgh Penguns
April 6, Buffalo Sabres
April 10, Dallas Stars
Starting home games at 7 p.m. aligns with the start times of 27 of the 32 NHL clubs.
“Once the national television schedule was announced, we worked through the approval process with the NHL and Bally Sports Detroit to move these games to 7:00 p.m.,” McGowan said.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. Her latest book, On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.