Behind Enemy Lines-Around the Central Division

January 22, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie

(35) makes a save on a shot by Dallas Stars left wing

(21) in the second period at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Central Division has played 17 games in the opening five days of the season and only three of those decisions has ended up in the loss column.  The strangest thing is that the Detroit Red Wings have only won a shoot out to go along with two losses.  The Red Wings got their doors blown out on opening night with a 6-0 shut out loss by the hands of the St Louis Blues.  The Red Wings bounced back with a shoot out win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.  They then lost Tuesday night at home to the Dallas Stars, it looks like the Red Wings are missing all their retired leaders but the Detroit Fansided Octopus Thrower site says not to worry quite yet in this article. After three games the Red Wings are 1-2-0

Columbus Blue Jackets who were suppose to be even worse than last year have been suprising while getting both their contests into overtime.  They won Saturday night in a shoot out against the Nashville Predators, but they were not so lucky against the Red Wings when Damien Brunner went a la Patrick Kane and put a sick shoot out move on the Blue Jackets for the victory. Columbus after two games record stands at 1-0-1.

The Nashville Predators started the season with two shoot losses, when talking to a Predators fan he joked without a smile on his face that the Predators were going to finish 0-0-48 and still somehow make the playoffs.  The Predators got into the win column with a 3-1 victory in Minnesota while facing their former star defenseman Ryan Suter. The Predlines (Nashville’s fansided site) was very excited by this win at the start of their road trip.  Nashville is currently third in the division at 1-0-2

St Louis Blues were off to a fast start until the ran into an even hotter Blackhawks team Tuesday night in Chicago.  They beat down Red Wings to the joy of all fans of teams in the Central. They went on to beat the Predators in a shoot out.  The Blues showed a lot of grit and determination by getting back into the game Tuesday after falling behind 3-0 on the road in Chicago.  Blues news can be found on Bleedin Blue including news on their recent signing. The Blues are in second place at 2-1-0

Key  Signings- Kent Huskins-Detroit Red Wings

Analysis- The point system with overtime losses will keep the Central divsion a tight mess all season long, but with only conference and division games in a 48 game season it will make it very hard to see four teams from the Central making the playoffs again this season.

Biggest suprise- Columbus has been very competitive the first week.

Biggest Dissapointment- How bad the Red Wings have been… It’s not a disappointment, it actually makes me very happy!

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