Red Wings’ First Round Schedule Set

The schedule for the Detroit Red Wings’ first round playoff series with the Edmonton Oilers has been set.

Surprising team analysts and coaches, Game One will be played at Joe Louis Arena on Friday, April 21, at 7:00 PM.

The team had previously been told that they would only open on Friday if the New York Rangers finsihed in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers dropped to sixth place to get a matchup with the third-seeded New Jersey Devils but the Red Wings didn’t get the Saturday afternoon game they were expecting.

“I don’t like that (having one less day), and if I was in charge it wouldn’t be like that, but I’m not in charge and they didn’t ask me,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “That’s the way it is and we’ve played all year to get ready for the playoffs. We have home-ice advantage and we have to take advantage of what we’ve earned.”

Game Two will be at 1:00 PM on Sunday, April 23, also from Joe Louis Arena.

The series shifts to Edmonton’s Rexall Place for Games Three and Four, set for Tuesday, April 25, at 10:00 PM, and Thursday, April 27, at 9:30 PM.

If required, Game Five will be back in Detroit on Saturday, April 29, at 3:00 PM.

Game Six would be in Edmonton on Monday, May 1. Officially, the time of the game is to be determined but the Detroit Free Press reports that it is set for 10:00 PM.

A deciding Game Seven is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, May 3, at 7:30.