The playoff-driven mandate is to bank at least six points every five games, which the Detroit Red Wings accomplished before a weekend dip.
They exit their first segment of the season 3-2 after a 3-0 start. There has been much to like: Henrik Zetterberg's line with Dylan Larkin and Justin Abdelkader, the penalty kill through four games and the goaltending. And some areas need improvement, such as depth of scoring and special teams overall.
The Wings will work on those areas when they resume practice today, two days before the next segment begins with a swing to western Canada.