Detroit Red Wings open season tonight against the Boston Bruins

Photo credit: Jason Paris

Detroit Red Wings fans may still be a bit raw about getting absolutely trounced by Boston in last year's playoffs, and they should be. So, with such a short jaunt in those playoffs, the team and its staff had plenty of time to regroup and strategize for this season. However, it seems that General Manager Ken Holland took the off season, well, off. The roster is almost identical to last year's.

The Bruins have changed very little since they lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Montreal Canadiens, with the exception of losing veteran goal-scorer Jerome Iginla and defenseman Johnny Boychuk. 

Unfortunately, to start things off, the Red Wings will be without assistant captain Pavel Datsyuk centering the first line, who is out with a separated shoulder. With ten players on the roster who are in their early twenties, head coach Mike Babcock is relying quite a bit on the younger players to lead the charge into the new season.

As optimistic as the Red Wings may be, the Bruins are still a very good team. In fact, they're already seen as a contender for the Stanley Cup. Boston had their season home opener last night against the Philadelphia Flyers, winning 2-1 and holding the Flyers to only 20 shots on net. 

It's easy to be optimistic at the beginning of a new season. For the most part, the team is healthy and hungry for victory. However, there is a sense of uncertainty with so much focus on the younger players and the learn-by-doing technique Babcock is employing with them.