from Shawn Windsor of the Detroit Free Press,

They were supposed to be a bit better this season, these young(ish) — and rebuilding — Detroit Red Wings. And, for the most part, they have been.

Even if their record doesn’t show it, even if they put forth a stink bomb as they did Friday night at Little Caesars Arena against the Florida Panthers, falling behind by three goals in the time it took to park the Zamboni after its pre-game cleansing of the ice.

It hasn’t been much fun to watch. Partly because the Wings’ best hope to compete is to muck up the rink and create a lucky bounce or two. Partly because several of the players who are supposed to reignite the franchise aren’t yet in town.

Hockey is like that most of the time. A team nabs a promising prospect near the top of the draft and the prospect doesn’t get to the big lights for a season or two.

It’s not like Wings fans can drive an hour to Toledo and see, say, defenseman Moritz Seider, the team’s first-round pick two years ago, like Tigers’ fans can drive there to see that club’s youngsters.

continued($$$)

Below, watch the extended game highlghts from yesterday's 2-1 win over Florida.