As the NHL season heats up, every game feels like it's carrying the weight of the world, especially for the Detroit Red Wings. Fans are riding the rollercoaster of emotions as each win or loss could be the difference between making the playoffs or watching from home.
This week was no exception, with Detroit splitting a home game against Ottawa and an away matchup with Buffalo-a team that seems allergic to losing. It might not have happened in the order fans expected, but a split is a decent outcome given the circumstances.
The playoff race in the Eastern Conference is tighter than ever. The Red Wings find themselves in a dogfight, where even a team with a record good enough to potentially win the Pacific Division might miss out on the postseason due to geography.
It's a tough pill to swallow, but Detroit knows what they need to do: win. After falling to Ottawa, the Red Wings need to aim for a 7-4 finish to keep their playoff hopes alive.
With one win already secured, they need six more victories to feel comfortable, though seven or eight would be even better.
Tonight, Detroit kicks off their season series against Philadelphia, a team creeping up on them in the standings. The Red Wings are likely sticking with Gibson in goal for a second consecutive night, a decision made easier by the schedule allowing for some rest between games. While Michal Postava has been impressive in Grand Rapids, the stakes are too high for an NHL debut right now.
On the prospects front, Sebastian Cossa is getting a breather after a couple of tough outings. With the Griffins having already clinched their division, this break comes at a good time, despite the poorly timed injury to Talbot. While Postava getting a start would be a vote of confidence, Gibson's been stepping up, even as he's battled some bumps and bruises.
Here's how you can catch tonight's action:
Time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
TV: ABC
Radio: WWJ Newsradio 950
Red Wings Projected Lineup:
- Compher - Larkin - Raymond
- DeBrincat - Copp - Kane
- Finnie - Kasper - van Riemsdyk
- Perron - Shine - Appleton
Defense:
- Edvinsson - Seider
- Chiarot - Faulk
- Johansson - Bernard-Docker
Goalies:
- Gibson
- Postava
Flyers Projected Lineup:
- Bump - Dvorak - Konecny
- Barkey - Zegras - Tippett
- Grundstrom - Cates - Michkov
- Glendening - Couturier - Hathaway
Defense:
- Sanheim - Ristolainen
- York - Drysdale
- Seeler - Andrae
Goalies:
- Ersson
- Vladar
As the Red Wings take the ice, fans will be hoping for a performance that keeps their playoff dreams alive. It's crunch time in the NHL, and every game counts.