DETROIT – Despite stumbling out of the gate in the season opener, the Detroit Red Wings have surged to the top of the Atlantic Division.
The team is currently riding a five-game winning streak -- defeating tough opponents including the Toronto Maple Leafs twice, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and Edmonton Oilers.
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These teams were among the top contenders last season, with Toronto winning the division, Tampa Bay finishing second, and Florida defeating Edmonton in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year.
Wings captain Dylan Larkin has been on fire. Larkin’s nine points over four games earned him the NHL’s first star of the week -- highlighting his strong early-season play.
Despite the positives, Detroit faces a tough stretch ahead, with seven of their next eight games away from Little Caesars Arena.
Defenseman Moritz Seider emphasized the importance of a strong start and a simple, focused approach on the road.
“We want to keep it simple and don’t want to fuel their power play in any kind of situation. Those are usually momentum changers,” he said. “Be simple with the puck, get shots early, and make them defend — pin them in their own zone and hopefully strike on offense.”
The team will be without forward Patrick Kane, who was injured Friday after crashing into the boards and will miss at least the next two games.
Tonight, at 7:30 p.m., the Wings will face the Buffalo Sabres, a team that has long been a tough opponent for Detroit.
The Wings hold a 6-3-1 record against Buffalo in their last 10 matchups and went 2-1-1 against them during the 2024-25 season.
While Buffalo has started this season with a 2-4-0 record, they always bring their best effort against Detroit. Former Wings goalie Alex Lyon is expected to play a key role for the Sabres in tonight’s game.
Coach Todd McLellan stressed that a team’s record doesn’t change the challenge of any matchup.
“I don’t buy the trap game theory at all,” he said. “Every team in the NHL is very skilled, talented, and has a chance to win on any given night.”