The Daily: Red Wings Must Keep Winning or Else; NHL Trade Rumors

As the day wore on Saturday, the Detroit Red Wings matinee triumph against the St. Louis Blues grew more important.  The Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils all won, meaning the Red Wings didn’t lose any ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The Washington Capitals only picked up one point, while the New York Islanders lost. Those teams lost ground to Detroit in the race. The Capitals are now seven points behind Detroit and the Islanders now trail by eight.  D

The Red Wings are home Tuesday to play the Capitals on Tuesday and the Islanders on Thursday. According to Tankathon, the Red Wings (.539) and Tampa Bay Lightning (.543) have the easiest schedule remaining of all Eastern conference teams. The Boston Bruins (.580), Maple Leafs (.578), Capitals (.575) and Florida Panthers ( .571) are among the teams with the hardest remaining schedules.

Since New Year’s Day, the Red Wings are 14-4-2. That’s why they are in a position to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

INTERVIEW: Patrick Kane was one of the top villains in Hockeytown, ending a great era of Red Wings hockey when he played with the Blackhawks.

Now on the other side of the rivalry, the future Hall of Famer is helping Detroit make a playoff push.

🎥: https://t.co/0JAxhq3XYU pic.twitter.com/3Xkc4nRMD5

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) February 25, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Despite a lack of puck luck, Alex DeBrincat has reached the 20-goal level for the fourth consecutive season.
• Ben Chiarot was once teammates with Hall of Famer Chris Chelios. He has a story.
• Paywall story: Detroit prospect trying to find his way in the German league.
• Former Detroit defenseman, a winner of multiple Stanley Cups, has died.

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings are in Chicago tonight. Former Detroit player Chris Chelios is having his number retired. Plus, this is the first game back in Chicago since Patrick Kane left the Blackhawks. Detroit is riding a four-game winning streak.

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: Evan Rawal looks at what the waiving of depth center Fredrik Olofsson could mean. Colorado Avalanche. 

Montreal: With 25 games remaining, the Montreal Canadiens draft lottery odds keep improving. At this point, that’s important.

Philadelphia: Reportedly two teams have called about acquiring Sean Walker and Nick Seeler as a pair. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Elliotte Friedman says Vegas, Vancouver, Edmonton, Carolina and Florida are interested in Jake Guentzel. Plus, the contenders are also interested Pittsburgh Penguins goalies, including former Detroit goalie Alex Nedeljkovic.

San Jose: Former Detroit player Filip Zadina scored another goal. He has five points in the past four games. What did Mike Ricci say to him recently. San Jose Sharks.