DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings will span four time zones and cross the border twice while playing six games in six cities over 10 days in their longest trip in more than five years.

Their challenge is to not lose ground in a highly competitive Eastern Conference, where only five points separates the top 13 teams – or even gain ground.

“I think it’ll be good for our team to get out, so we’re looking forward to it,” coach Todd McLellan said. “I think every coach in the league would tell you that right now we’re not looking at the standings because you go from first to seventh in one night without even playing, so it really doesn’t matter.”

The trip starts in Columbus on Thursday (7:30 p.m., ESPN-Plus/Hulu), continues Saturday in Seattle, followed by Western Canada (Monday in Vancouver, Dec. 10 in Calgary, Dec. 11 in Edmonton) and wrapping up Dec. 13 at Chicago.

“That’s not an easy load, but it’s something that we’re capable of handling,” McLellan said.

He referenced going 4-0 last season during a trip to Western Canada and Seattle (Jan. 30-Feb. 4). The Red Wings have swept three games in Western Canada in two of the past three years.

All six teams the Red Wings (14-11-2) face on this trip have fewer points, though Seattle (.585) and Columbus (.558) each has a better points percentage than Detroit (.556).

The Red Wings hope Tuesday’s 5-4 victory over Boston, which followed a 3-2 shootout loss to the Bruins on Saturday, provides momentum.

“It’s always better to get on a plane with three of our last four points against a (division) rival, so we’ll take that,” McLellan said. “I think we still have work to do as a team, and maybe getting out on the road will be something good for us. It won’t be an easy one, but I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a good challenge for our players.”

John Gibson, coming off his first win since Oct. 28, said, “It’s a big road trip for us, so we got to put the points together and obviously want to get off to a good start and got a big win here before the road trip. Hopefully, we can carry that on in Columbus and make it a good trip.”

James van Riemsdyk, in his 17th NHL season, has been on his share of long trips.

“These are always good for the guys to spend more time together and a little bit of that sort of chemistry stuff is always good, too,” van Riemsdyk. “It’s a key part of our season. We want to make sure we get off to a good start and use this as a really building point of our season.”

How does van Riemsdyk pass time on the road?

“This is one of those trips too where it’s like (a game) every other day so there’s not a ton of time in between,” he said. “A lot of times I try to find a place to go sauna on the road. So maybe bring some guys to go do that.

“I’m watching the new (show) Beast in Me on Netflix, so I get some shows going. And then find a nice place for dinner. So, it’s pretty basic. I’m sure most guys are fairly similar.”

For McLellan, the best way to bond as a team is to have a successful trip.

“If you suck the whole trip, well, it’s not a lot of fun bonding like that,” he said. “So, there are opportunities for the players to get out and get together and have team dinners and all that stuff. But the best bonding trip is a winning trip.”