Buffalo – On the eve of Thanksgiving the Red Wings are playing the Sabres (7 p.m, FSD Plus, 97.1FM), who are above them in the standings.
As they stare up from the basement of the Atlantic Division, about to play their 20th of 82 games, the Wings are five points out of the final wild-card spot.
It may only be Nov. 23, but this is the biggest Red Wings game against the Sabres in a long time.
While the team knows the calendar and the math, coach Jeff Blashill set an even tone after the optional morning skate this morning in the KeyBank Center.