Detroit Red Wings Must Win Now

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Jan 4, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg (40) waits for play to begin against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Zetterberg has two goals in the game. The Red Wings defeated the Stars 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Red Wings are back in the spotlight of the NHL following the Winter Classic. Even thought the result didn’t go as they hoped, our Detroit Red Wings were once again part of NHL history. In their first game since the Winter Classic they defeated the Dallas Stars.

Currently Detroit sits at 19-14-10, which is good enough for fourth place in the Atlantic Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference. Not bad for what has been a season long struggle. Injuries have plagued the Red Wings all season and they still remain in the thick of the playoff hunt. Oddly enough, Detroit sits one point above Toronto in the standings as well.

With the Red Wings currently on a five game road trip this is a key point in the schedule. Detroit has won more games on the road than at home this season. Therefore this trip is important, defeating Dallas in the first game was a nice start. The remaining four games are against San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim and the New York Rangers. Each of these teams are generally in the playoff hunt, so it would be great to sweep the trip. An injury ravaged team with many young players needs wins like this to acclimate themselves more.

Captain Henrik Zetterberg is back with the team so things should be more smooth now. Jimmy Howard is once again healthy as well and coming off back-to-back quality games.The Red Wings are also less than a month from the Olympic Break. They must gain as much ground before that as possible if they want to catch the Atlantic Division leading Boston Bruins. Boston currently sits ten points ahead of Detroit.

Now, to some this current road trip may not seem like a big deal. They are wrong. Winning on the road is the key to the playoffs. Especially for a team that may not finish in the top half of their conference. Protecting your home ice should be a given, which makes road wins a priority. It’s not often that a team like Detroit will still be in the hunt with such an abysmal home record but we are. And that is thanks to being able to win on the road.