Red Wings Can Give Themselves Breathing Room This Week

The Red Wings are on quite the upswing these days.

They’re making a serious run at the playoffs for the first time since moving to Little Caesars Arena seven years ago. They have won five in a row going into tonight’s game against Washington. They have two overtime wins in those five wins. The Red Wings have given up just seven goals during the streak.  Patrick Kane owns an eight-game points streak that includes five goals and 13 points

This could be a key week for the Red Wings, who are home to Washington, the New York Islanders and Florida Panthers.

It’s a chance for the Red Wings to put more distance between themselves and two of their pursuers in the Eastern Conference.

The Wings are seven points ahead of the Capitals and eight ahead of the Islanders, and every point counts as the season heads into the home stretch. Wins against both of those teams would clearly put Detroit in command of one of the wild card positions.

“We’re in a stretch of playing some really good hockey,” coach Derek Lalonde said after Sunday’s overtime win in Chicago. “When you’re peaking in your game,  take advantage of it, and we’re doing that right now.”

Red Wings Begin Challenging Week

Detroit plays host to a Washington team that is surging in part due to the renaissance of Anthony Mantha. He has been a disappointment with the Capitals since being traded there during the 2020-21 season.

However, this season, he has 18 goals, the most since his last full season in Detroit, and is a top-six forward with the Caps.

The Islanders, who visit on Thursday, have  been sputtering on offense all season. Their struggles cost former Red Wings player Lane Lambert his job as coach last month. New coach Patrick Roy has juggled his lineup in an attempt to inject some life into the offense.

Putting distance between themselves and these two pursuers should give the Wings a lift going into Saturday’s home game with Florida.

The Wings are just four points behind both Carolina and Toronto.

With 24 games remaining, the tightness of the Eastern Conference race will keep Detroit players on their toes down the stretch. Wins this week will go a long way toward ending the Red Wings’ playoff drought.