The Detroit Red Wings won five of their first six games as recently as two years ago, but this start has a different feel about it.

Emmitt Finnie’s readiness for the NHL may stem from the reality that nothing came easy for him when his journey began. “He’s a seventh-round pick and here’s what happens,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said.

Emmitt Finnie has performed well since training camp and he now appears to be a mainstay in the lineup for the red-hot Red Wings.

DETROIT – Emmitt Finnie lined up for the opening faceoff Sunday opposite a pair of Hall-of-Famers and then proceeded to show why the Detroit Red Wings kept the 20-year-old former seventh-round draft pick on their season-opening roster.

The Red Wings made us collectively groan at our TVs just one game into the season as they fell 5-1 to the in-your-face Canadiens. It was another brutal defensive and goaltending performance -- exactly what the Red Wings had hoped to improve upon as they opened the season.