The daily main story at Hockey Hot Stove is powered by Watrhouse Brands, dedicated to quality, consumer education, and awareness: Benevolent Bakery, SoSHEL beverages, and Smokiez vegan fruit chews. Benevolent Bakeries and SoShel are proud sponsors of Hockey Day in Houston 2026. Today: Detroit Red Wings battle for playoff hopes.
The Detroit Red Wings are once again facing a spring that could see them fall out of playoff contention. Injuries continue to pile up as the team struggles to hold onto a wildcard spot. However, Detroit gave themselves a chance with a much needed 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames.
Patrick Kane scored twice in a four goal second period that saw Detroit find some desperately needed offense. Furthermore, Alex Debrincat added three assists, and Moritz Seider scored his ninth goal of the season. The Red Wings found a way to win, thus snapping a three game losing streak.
Still, the Red Wings have found themselves in a difficult spot. Detroit is holding the final wild card spot with the Columbus Blue Jackets just one point behind with a game in hand. In other words, the Red Wings have to keep winning and even then their destiny may not be in their own hands. Once again, the fall off in March rears its ugly head as the team tries desperately to compete.
Can Detroit rewrite history?
The Red Wings are in the thick of the playoff hunt with just 14 games left to play. However, the team will not have a top six centerman for at least four of those contests. Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp are still said to be at least two weeks from returning. Similarly, Michael Rasmussen missed the last contest as the depth at center continues to be an issue. The Red Wings are running out of centers, and there doesn’t seem to be a solution coming.
It was predicted that 98 points could be the entry point to the post season earlier this year. However, that total could continue to climb with the resurgence of the Blues Jackets. Therefore, The final wild card spot could end up needing nearly 100 points to see the post season. That, unfortunately, may be too steep a hill for a depleted Red Wings roster to climb.
Coach Todd McLellan has grown frustrated with the comparisons to years past. The nearly infamous drop off in March is a storyline that has haunted the club for nearly a decade. Still, it’s impossible for fans not to make the connection as the club once again stands on the brink. In short, the Red Wings have to prove that they can flip the narrative and snap their playoff drought.
Montreal is coming to town
Detroit will have their biggest test to date as they face the Montreal Canadiens next. This divisional tilt will have massive implications as the two teams sit just two points apart. The Red Wings need to find a way to win, or else they could well fall out of the wild card race.
The Red Wings are in the final stretch of the season, and their playoff hopes are still alive. Each game will need to feel like an elimination game, and realistically each game will be just that. There will be no shortage of drama for a team trying desperately to avoid a 10th straight post season absence.
