The Red Wings got a favorable draw from the NHL schedule maker, with long homestands early and late in the 2010-11 season.

Advantage Margin: +40
It's not surprising the Wings had a big advantage in power plays at home (173-141), but the fact they received more extra-man situations on the road (134-126) than their opponents is unusual -- most visiting teams spend more time in the box than the home team.

Special Teams Goal Margin: +23
While their point total was down last season, the Wings were vastly improved on the penalty kill -- they improved from 25th in 2008-09 to 10th and reduced their power-play goals against from 71 to 43.

Goals by defensemen: 36
Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski remain among the NHL's best on the blue line, but neither reached double digits in goals last season. For Lidstrom, it was the first time that happened since 2001-02.

Overtime Record
Total: 11-5-9 • OT: 5-5 • SO: 6-9
The Wings have been among the NHL's best at getting the jump on the opposition, so last season's struggles were a surprise. Detroit scored first 24 times in 41 home games, but did it just 14 times on the road -- and won just seven of those games.

Times Scored First: 38 • Record: 25-6-7
The Wings have been among the NHL's best at getting the jump on the opposition, so last season's struggles were a surprise. Detroit scored first 24 times in 41 home games, but did it just 14 times on the road -- and won just seven of those games.       

Best 2009-10 Number: 16-3-2
The Wings' record after the Winter Olympics, the best in the NHL. Aided by a stretch of 12 games at home in an 18-game stretch, Detroit was a League-best 12-2-1 in March and went 4-1-1 in six games in April.

Worst 2009-10 Number: 7-12-2
Detroit's combined record on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, good for only 16 points in 21 games. The Wings piled up 86 points in 61 games on the other five days of the week, going 11-1-3 on Thursdays and 13-6-4 on Saturdays.
   
Scheduling
Detroit has 12 of its first 18 games at home, including a six-game homestand in November. The Wings' longest road trip is a five-game swing in January, and they are home for seven of their final 10 games.