The Daily: Red Wings’ Playoff Odds at 15.8%; Patrick Kane’s Future

It will be reminiscent of the Original Six Days when the Detroit Red Wings go into Toronto for an important Saturday Hockey Night in Canada game against the Maple Leafs.

After falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-5 Thursday, the Red Wings need to upset the Maple Leafs to keep their postseason hopes alive. Moneypuck.com pegs Detroit’s playoff probability at 15.8%. The Penguins now have a one-point lead in the scrap for the second wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.

“The Pittsburgh Penguins probably didn’t deserve the two points,” Dan Kingerski wrote for Pittsburgh Hockey Now. “Although they were outplayed for significant parts of the game, they never left the battle.”

The Penguins have points in 10 consecutive games and Sidney Crosby has been the primary reason. He set up Thursday’s winning overtime goal with his 1,000th career assist.

“If it’s one thing he’s done throughout his career, it’s delivering when you need it the most,” Pittsburgh defenseman Erik Karlsson said. “And today was nothing different than that.”

Lucas Raymond was another who raised his game Thursday, delivering a three-goal, four-point performance. He played with intensity and fire.

“I think the way Lucas played tonight was, if you’re looking at a step in his career, then that’s a performance that I’m very impressed by,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. “I think that was a good statement to the hockey world.”

LUCAS RAYMOND HATTY. pic.twitter.com/jgb135aQCv

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 12, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• The Red Wings will know more today about Andrew Copp‘s status. He suffered a broken cheekbone in Tuesday’s loss to Washington.
• Alex DeBrincat totaled three assists in the loss to Pittsburgh. But only has one goal in his past 20 games. The Red Wings need him to score.
• Paywall story: Bob Duff writes about Red Wings players are trying to keep their emotions in check while they are battling to make the playoffs.
• Patrick Kane talked about his future, but he didn’t reveal which way he is leaning. He didn’t say he was leaving or staying.

Red Wings Next Game

Detroit’s next game is Saturday against a motivated Toronto Maple Leafs team.  Toronto is securely in third place in the Atlantic Division. Winning or losing won’t impact their playoff match-up. But Auston Matthews now has 68 goals and Matthews and his Toronto teammates seem determined to make sure he reaches 70 goals over their next three games. The Red Wings, needing a win to keep playoff hopes alive, and the Maple Leafs have something to play for.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: If the Detroit Red Wings can’t re-sign Patrick Kane, will the Boston Bruins pursue him in the free agent market? Jimmy Murphy points out the Bruins have the cap space.

Colorado: Ewan Rawal writes that it is Alexander Georgiev or bust in goal for the Colorado Avalanche. There is no goaltender controversy in Denver.

Florida: In the NHLPA player poll, Sasha Barkov was selected as the second-most complete player behind Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby.

Montreal: With Boston University eliminated from the Frozen Four by Denver, Montreal Canadiens prospect Lane Hutson could sign an NHL contract. Marc Dumont looks at the possibility. Hutson is an elite puck-carrying defenseman.

New Jersey: Last season’s Timo Meier trade is now complete, now that the New Jersey Devils are eliminated from playoff consideration. The 2024 conditional second round pick the Devils included in the deal with San Jose will remain a second-round pick. The pick would have become a first-round pick if New Jersey had reached the Eastern Conference Final in the postseason.

Philadelphia: Believe it or not, the Philadelphia Flyers have playoff hope after an unexpected win against the New York Rangers. The Flyers’ probability percentage is 16.8%.