Red Wings push back puck drop of opener due to Tigers' playoff game

The Detroit Red Wings have a storied history of both winning Stanley Cups and catering to a loyal fanbase. And sure, the Wings haven't made the NHL playoffs since 2015-16 and they haven't won the Cup since 2007-08, but this is still "Hockeytown".

Still, those with an ear to the ground of the Detroit sports scene will tell you that outside of the city's love affair with the Detroit Lions, it has always been a baseball-obsessed town.

Much like with the Wings, the Detroit Tigers haven't given fans much to cheer in the past decade, but they've gone on a magical run all the way to the American League Division Series after looking like another losing team around midway through the season.

After a phenomenal home run by outfielder Kerry Carpenter in the ninth inning of Game 2 to give the Tigers a 3-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians, Detroit is hosting its first MLB playoff game since 2014 on Wednesday. 

The Red Wings are also anticipating a big night, the start of their 2024-25 season, but a franchise as historic as theirs can understand the moment happening in downtown Detroit that night.

Not even considering traffic, and win or lose, people are going to be wild for the Tigers. As such, the Wings are moving puck drop back an hour, from 7 p.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET. The Tigers, meanwhile, will start their all-important game at 6:08 p.m. ET.

Speaking of the last time the Red Wings were in the Stanley Cup, their opening night matchup is against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who beat them in a classic seven-game series in 2009.