from Dave Stubbs of NHL.com,

Chris Chelios has seen the legendary feud between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings from each side. On Friday, and for seven more games this season, the Hall of Fame defenseman will watch the cantankerous, reunited Central Division and Original Six rivals lock up, and he will reminisce about his good/bad old days.

“I grew up in Chicago. I know how much Detroit fans hate Chicago and vice versa. I get it,” Chelios said about two of his former teams who will play each other twice in three days at United Center starting Friday (8 p.m. ET, NBCSCH, FS-D, NHL.TV), and again on Sunday (12:30 p.m. ET, NBC, TVAS).

They will play each other six more times this season.

“Those teams are going to be sick of each other after just a few games, the back to backs,” Chelios said, almost wistfully.

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Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 01/21/21 at 01:51 PM ET

from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,

The Detroit Red Wings head on the road for the first time this season feeling good about themselves after a 2-2 start — but apprehensive about their first travel experience.

A week into the 2021 season, four of their players already have spent time in COVID-19 protocol, and every day brings fresh news involving the pandemic. Now comes a week away from home, with team personnel essentially confined to their hotel outside of games and practices. Hearing from other players who already have gone through the experience, Anthony Mantha knows what to expect.

“They say it’s bad,” he said Thursday after an unusual practice at Little Caesars Arena. “But, at the end of the day, it’s the sacrifice to play the game right now.

“We have to be in our rooms most of the time. We are not allowed to go out to restaurants or anything of that sort. They are asking us to quarantine in the hotel. I’m not sure yet what it’s going to look like for team meals — if we are allowed to go in a room, or if we have to stay in our room. It’s going to be alone time a little more than usual. I’ll be one of the guys that’s going to bring his Xbox on the road to start. And then I’ll start Yellowstone — everybody says that’s really good, so that’s on my bucket list.”

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Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 01/21/21 at 03:47 PM ET

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

The Wings currently have forwards Robby Fabbri and Adam Erne on the COVID-19 protocol list, and Blashill said neither will make this two-game road trip to Chicago and Dallas.

But it was interesting the Wings practiced in four separate, small groups — during different times of the Thursday morning and working out at both the main ice at Little Caesars Arena and the practice rink — something unusual for the regular season.

Blashill said “a couple” of players were unavailable to them for practice.

“As such, we made the decision to go with four small groups,” Blashill said. “Beyond that, I can’t really comment.”

more

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 01/21/21 at 03:49 PM ET

They will play each other six more times this season.

“Those teams are going to be sick of each other after just a few games, the back to backs,” Chelios said, almost wistfully.

It sounds good on paper, but these teams are so different than they were back when they were in the same conference.  Who is remaining, Kane? 

After a few games against each other, there’s bound to be a couple scrums and whatnot, but it won’t be like it was a decade ago.

Posted by TreKronor on 01/21/21 at 04:44 PM ET

Sounds like it might be some contact management.  Could be different groups working on different things.  Hope Carolina didnt screw us.

Posted by ThatGuy on 01/21/21 at 05:33 PM ET