Detroit Red Wings 2019-20 Season Preview DETROIT RED WINGS: TEAM LOOK-AHEAD With new general manager and franchise legend Steve Yzerman at the helm, the Red Wings look to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016 when their streak of 25 consecutive postseason appearances came to an end – tied for the third-longest such run in NHL history. Yzerman served as team captain for the first 15 of those 25 straight postseason berths, capturing three Stanley Cups in that span (1997, 1998, 2002) in addition to going down in history as the franchise’s all-time leader in playoff goals and points (70-115—185 in 196 GP). SEASON-OPENING STATS * Jimmy Howard owns a career record of 8-5-1 in 14 season-opening games (2.05 GAA, .929 SV%, 3 SO). His eight career wins in season openers are the third-most in franchise history behind only Terry Sawchuk (12-8-2 in 22 GP) and Chris Osgood (9-4-0 in 13 GP). * Dennis Cholowski, who scored in his NHL debut on Oct. 4, 2018 (1-0—1 vs. CBJ), can become the second defenseman in franchise history to record at least one goal in consecutive season openers; he would join Marcel Pronovost, who did so in 1953-54 and 1954-55. Aside from Pronovost, only four other Detroit blueliners have scored in multiple season openers: Nicklas Lidstrom (1995-96, 2002-03, 2011-12), Red Kelly (1948-49, 1953-54), Howie Young (1962-63, 1967-68) and Reed Larson (1978-79, 1984-85). Detroit Red Wings 2019-20 Season Preview OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK * Dylan Larkin and Andreas Athanasiou can become the first Red Wings players to reach the 30-goal mark in consecutive seasons since Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk had runs of four and two straight campaigns end in 2008-09, respectively. Larkin can become the second player of U.S. nationality to accomplish the feat with the franchise; he would join Brett Hull, who scored at least 30 goals in back-to-back seasons in 2001-02 and 2002-03. THE FUTURE IS NOW * Dylan Larkin (88-125—213 in 318 GP), who is set to celebrate his 24th birthday on July 30, 2020, is 87 regular-season points shy of 300. Among players to debut with the Red Wings franchise, only three have reached the 300-point milestone before turning 24 (all w/ DET): Steve Yzerman (229-336—565 in 435 GP), Marcel Dionne (139-227—366 in 309 GP) and Gordie Howe (160-183—343 in 368 GP). * Aside from Yzerman, Dionne and Howe, only five other players under the above criteria have reached the 100-goal mark before age 24 (all w/ DET): Sergei Fedorov (117-182—299 in 259 GP), John Ogrodnick (112-129—241 in 281 GP), Ted Lindsay (110-78—188 in 261 GP), Dale McCourt (106-163—269 in 282 GP) and Petr Klima (102-75—177 in 242 GP). * Moritz Seider, the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, turns 19 on April 6, 2020. He can become the fourth defenseman to appear in at least one regular-season game with the franchise as an 18-year-old, joining Hy Buller (0-3—3 in 9 GP), Larry Hillman (0-2—2 in 34 GP) and Dave Amadio (0-0—0 in 2 GP). BETWEEN THE PIPES * Jimmy Howard owns a career record of 244-173-68 in 516 regular-season appearances (2.55 GAA, .914 SV%, 24 SO) and is eight wins shy of tying Frank Brimsek (252; 7th) for seventh place on the NHL’s all-time list among U.S.-born goaltenders. * A ninth career 20-win season in 2019-20 would move Howard within one of the franchise record for most with the Red Wings, which is shared by Terry Sawchuk and Chris Osgood (both w/ 10). Howard can reach the 30-win mark for the fourth time in 2019-20; his three career seasons with at least 30 wins are tied with Harry Lumley and Tim Cheveldae for the third-most by a Red Wings goaltender, trailing only Sawchuk (5) and Osgood (4). FIRST IMPRESSIONS A look at how players have fared historically in their debut game/season with the franchise. First game with the Red Wings/Falcons/Cougars. SKATERS Most goals: 2 – 7 players; most recent: Thomas Vanek (Oct. 13, 2016) Most assists: 4 – Dutch Reibel (Oct. 8, 1953) Most points: 4 – 3 players; most recent: Bernie Federko (Oct. 5, 1989) Detroit Red Wings 2019-20 Season Preview DEFENSEMEN Most goals: 1 – 14 players; most recent: Dennis Cholowski (Oct. 4, 2018) Most assists: 3 – 2 players; most recent: Dale Rolfe (Feb. 21, 1970) Most points: 3 – 3 players; most recent: Ron Stackhouse (Oct. 22, 1971) GOALTENDERS Most saves: 42 – 2 goaltenders; most recent: Tim Cheveldae (Feb. 2, 1989) Shutout: 1 – Dave Gatherum (Oct. 11, 1953) First season with the Red Wings/Falcons/Cougars. SKATERS Most goals: 50 – Danny Grant (1974-75) Most assists: 56 – Dino Ciccarelli (1992-93) Most points: 97 – Dino Ciccarelli (1992-93) DEFENSEMEN Most goals: 13 – Brian Rafalski (2007-08) Most assists: 53 – Brad Park (1983-84) Most points: 60 – Nicklas Lidstrom (1991-92) GOALTENDERS Most wins: 41 – Dominik Hasek (2001-02) Most shutouts: 10 – 2 goaltenders; most recent: John Ross Roach (1932-33) .