What The Red Wings Need to Happen on California Trip (+)

Last season, a California road trip, starting on New Year’s Day, launched the Detroit Red Wings on a run of success that put the team in contention for an NHL playoff spot until the final days of the season.

The Red Wings swept the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks as part of a 6-0-1 stretch that put them in the Eastern Conference wildcard race. Coach Derek Lalonde’s team (7-7-1) is hoping to find similar success this year as they play Anaheim tonight (10 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network), Los Angeles Saturday (8 p.m., FSN) and San Jose Monday (10 p.m., FSN).