Teams playing in their first game off their league mandated extended break are 8-18. Detroit is coming off its bye week. The Red Wings also aren't very good. Their 25-year playoff run is likely to end this season since they're 11 points out of the second wild-card spot.

Morale can't be too good for the Red Wings now in action for the first time in a week opening a five-game road trip here. Detroit is 0-3 this season when having been idle for three or more days.

Vancouver isn't likely to make the playoffs either. But the Canucks are 18-10-3 at home. Detroit is 2-8 in its last 10 road contests. The Canucks are 7-2 the past nine times they've hosted an opponent with a losing road mark.