Wings look to start fast in 2010-11

By Bud L. Ellis

The Detroit Red Wings begin the 2010-11 season with six of their first nine games at home. The Wings hope that will jump-start a better early season than one year ago.

Last season, the Wings struggled mightily at times through the first four months of the season. Only thanks to a great surge in March and April – during which Detroit went 16-3-2 – did the long-standing traditional powerhouse make the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Detroit finished fifth in the Western Conference thanks to that late-season push, eventually losing to San Jose in the second round of the playoffs after knocking off Phoenix in round one.

There is plenty of firepower, as always, in Detroit. Both of last year’s leading scorers, Selke Trophy winner Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, return after 70-point seasons. In goal, the Wings found a keeper last season in rookie Jimmy Howard.

The new season begins at home Oct. 8 against Anaheim.

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Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 4:53 am by bud

Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings news, Detroit Red Wings schedule, Detroit Red Wings tickets, Henrik Zetterberg, Jimmy Howard, National Hockey League, Pavel Datsyuk, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks