Keeping those veterans healthy could determine whether the Red Wings fulfill those lofty expectations.
The Red Wings begin this season with 12 players who are 30 or older, including a pair 40-year-olds in defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom and center Mike Modano. Henrik Zetterberg turns 30 on Saturday and defenseman Niklas Kronwall celebrates that milestone birthday Jan. 12.
The Red Wings reached the playoffs for 19th consecutive year - one shy of their franchise record - but had its eight-season reign atop the Central Division end.
The Red Wings seem relatively healthy heading into this campaign. Kris Draper is dealing with an ailing groin, and Justin Abdelkader’s status is also unknown for Friday because of a rib injury.
After tallying a league-best 289 goals in 2008-09, Detroit had 223 last season but will get Jiri Hudler back. “Hudler is a better player than people think,” Babcock told the league’s website. The Red Wings are also hoping Modano will boost the offense. Those additions could lessen the scoring burden on forward Pavel Datsyuk, who tallied 70 points in 2009-10 after consecutive 97-point seasons.
Likewise, Anaheim’s All-Star center Ryan Getzlaf is trying to bounce back from a subpar season as he becomes the franchise’s eighth captain.
Getzlaf’s 19 goals and 50 assists in 2009-10 were his fewest in three seasons, and injuries cost him 16 games.
After pushing the Red Wings to seven games in the 2008 playoffs, the Ducks were denied a fifth consecutive berth after failing to overcome another slow start.
The Ducks also had the fourth-fewest points on the road (34) among West teams.
Jonas Hiller is the Ducks No. 1 goaltender after former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jean-Sebastien Giguere was traded to Toronto on Jan. 31.
While Niedermayer is gone, Finnish veteran forwards Teemu Selanne and Saku Koviu will provide depth alongside younger stars Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan, who is expected to move to center.
The Ducks have lost four straight at Joe Louis Arena, where they are 3-22-4 all-time.Watch Live Online Give it a try >>>
