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Red Wings' first-place positioning sustainability helped out by off-ice injury of divisional rival
Photo credit: Tim Fuller-Imagn Images
The Detroit Red Wings' luck this season has been helped by their Atlantic Division rivals, the Florida Panthers, whose injury list is growing sky-high, as another name is added to the list due to an accidental injury while cooking at a BBQ.
Paul Maurice's Panthers team has been dominant the last three seasons in the NHL, but nothing lasts forever.
For the Panthers, they've had to weather multiple injuries after winning two Stanley Cups in a row; it appears that the bill has come due. Without Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov, the team will have to figure out how to cope with another injury.
That is forward Eetu Luostarinen, who was acquired in a trade from the Carolina Hurricanes. The Finnish forward has been injured in a freak barbecue accident.
It sounds painful already.
"Florida currently sits 10-8-1, just one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for a wild card spot. With Luostarinen sidelined, the Panthers' depth will be tested as they try to maintain their position in the playoff race and challenge division leaders."
Ouch.
The Detroit Red Wings have benefited from the Florida Panthers' decline
The Florida Panthers, for the first time in three seasons, are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.
Thanks to this, the Red Wings have a chance to take over the Atlantic Division, as they continue to occupy the 1st spot with a record of 12-7-1 under Head Coach Todd McLellan.
The team has won the last three of four games and has proven to be a fierce competitor in a division that is always in the postseason discussion.
The Red Wings will need to play their best game to continue to stay atop the division.
If they stay consistent, this March, we could have legitimate discussions of a trip to the playoffs for the first time since Dylan Larkin's rookie season.
In the meantime, the Red Wings' "Kid Line" is lighting up the NHL and stealing headlines.
Though Sunday's original six brawl could be just as compelling as the team's top spot in their division, we'll let you decide.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 20 | 262 ANSWERS Red Wings' first-place positioning sustainability helped out by off-ice injury of divisional rival Do you think the Detroit Red Wings will win the Atlantic Division this season if the Florida Panthers continue to weather injuries? | ||
| Yes | 71 | 27.1 % |
| No | 191 | 72.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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