When it comes to ringing in the New Year, the Detroit Red Wings generally do it on home ice.
Wednesday’s game at Joe Louis Arena against the New Jersey Devils will mark the 66th New Year’s Eve game played in Detroit and the second time that the Devils have supplied the opposition. Detroit defeated New Jersey 6-4 on this date in 1989.
The Wings are generally successful on New Year’s Eve, owning an all-time mark of 34-22-8-1, including an 8-2 slate in their last 10 Dec. 31 contests. Detroit is also usually productive on the date, scoring four or more goals on 34 occasions.
While it isn’t as consistent a tradition as the Detroit Lions playing on Thanksgiving – the Wings haven’t played host to a New Year’s Eve game since 2011 – the event still means something to the players.
“It’s fun,… center Luke Glendening said. “Last year was special playing in the Winter Classic (on Jan. 1 vs. Toronto at Michigan Stadium). New Year’s Eve is special, too.
“I don’t think I have a preference as long as I’m playing.…
Growing up in Grand Rapids, where Detroit’s AHL farm club is situated, Glendening often attended Griffins games on New Year’s Eve as a youngster. “When you’re a kid, you’re just trying to make it to 12 to stay up,… Glendening said. “That kept me up until at least 10, 10:30.…
What’s causing the Wings to lose sleep of late was their poor performance in their most recent game, a 5-2 loss at Boston.
“We didn’t play well last game,… right-winger Tomas Jurco said. “I don’t know what’s the reason for it. Maybe we weren’t as ready as we were supposed to be.
“We just didn’t play our best game, but it’s a new day, a new game today and hopefully we’re going to get back on the winning streak.…
For Jurco, tonight will mark a hockey first.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played on New Year’s Eve, so it’s going to be something new for me,… he said. “I’m excited. I can’t wait for the game.…
The key for the players is to keep their priorities in order. Play hockey first and win the game, so there’s reason to celebrate afterward.
“You have to focus on the game,… left-winger Tomas Tatar said. “You work first and then you have think of other stuff.
“We have to focus and get ready from the get go.…
Change Of Plans A phone call from the Wings led to immediate alterations in the New Year’s Eve plans of defenseman Xavier Ouellet and his family.
He was recalled to Detroit from Grand Rapids after Jakub Kindl went on the injured list due to a sprained elbow.
“They called me yesterday,… Ouellet said. “I was in Chicago with Grand Rapids. I flew to Grand Rapids, got my car, packed my stuff and drove up here.…
His family had travelled from their homes in Montreal to celebrate New Year’s Eve with him, but before they could get the party started, the locale changed.
“All my family was in GR, so all they did was drive with me up here,… Ouellet explained. “We’re all at the hotel now, so we’re all going to enjoy the game tonight and we’ll have a good night to celebrate New Year’s.…
There will be extra special cause for celebration in the case of Ouellet’s siblings, who’ve never seen him perform in person in an NHL game.
“My parents have, but not my sister and not my brother, either,… Ouellet said. “It’s going to be a big day for them.…
It’s Ouellet’s third recall to Detroit already this season, but it’s still a big deal to him.
“I’m still very excited every time I get called up,… Ouellet said. “That’s for sure. But I’m a little more used to it, that’s for sure, too.
“This is my 10th game here this year, so I feed good, I feel part of the guys. It’s easier and easier every time I get called back up. I know what’s coming and I just try to stay ready for it.…
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