1. Get ready for a barrage from these New Look Wings.
Yes, the Red Wings are without Nik Lidstrom, Brad Stuart and Tomas Holmstrom from last year's squad, but they still have Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and one of the best coaches in the league in Mike Babcock. He stated last night he wants to play as much of the game as he can in Chicagos end of the ice. Get ready for a ferocious forecheck.
2. Special Teams may be the decider.
Last year, Detroit was the second-least penalized team in the league. This year they are the second most, having taken eight minor penalties in their last win against Minnesota. Chicagos penalty kill still ranks among the tops in the league, having killed off 16 of 17 short handed situations, but they will be tested by a Detroit powerplay that scored its first goals of they year (2) against the Wild.
3. Wings taste best when theyre b-eaten at home.
The Red Wings are still the best rival the Chicago Blackhawks have. There is a lot of history between these two storied franchises. Detroit has fallen on hard times, and they are not the Wings of the past. But they still have what it takes to be spoilers, and they feel if they can win in Chicago, it may help change the mindset of their team. Chicago can set a new franchise record for consecutive wins to start a season. The United Center will be rocking.