In a game that would amount to a Cliff’s Notes version of the Detroit Red Wings season, the resilience that this club continues to display once again rose to the fore to save the day . . . and the season, for that matter.

Captain Dylan Larkin’s redirect of a Patrick Kane shot in overtime gave the Red Wings a 5-4 road victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. It also kept the flame burning on the club’s flickering playoff hopes.

“It’s just a sample size of what we’ve been going through,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin told Bally Sports Detroit.

IT JUST HAD TO BE HIM! Captain @Dylanlarkin39 buries the overtime winner, and the Red Wings are still Stayin' Alive! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/cH0fOElmLm

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) April 14, 2024

With two games left to play in the regular season, the Red Wings, Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers each sit with 87 points. Washington is holding the eighth and final playoff spot in the NHL’s Eastern Conference via tiebreaker. Pittsburgh, 6-4 losers at Boston, are at 86 points.

In fact, had the Red Wings fallen to the Leafs in regulation time on Saturday, they would’ve been eliminated from postseason contention. Detroit will finish the season with two against the Montreal Canadiens – at home Monday and on the road Tuesday.

Red Wings Squander Fast Start

Just like late February, when the Wings were leading the playoff chase by a vast gulf of eight points, the first period couldn’t have gone much better for Detroit. The team took a 4-1 lead to the dressing room after 20 minutes, Alex DeBrincat would score twice in the frame, just his second and third goals over the past 21 games. Defenseman Simon Edvinsson potted his first of the season.

Twice as nice! @Brinksy97 buries a rebound past Ilya Samsonov for his second goal of the 1st period! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/36PAbZq98n

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) April 13, 2024

Then, much like the month of March when Detroit would endure an eight-game losing skid, the script was flipped. Netting three goals, Toronto would tie the game,

“I think in the second period we gave up a little too much, obviously,” DeBrincat said. “Didn’t play north enough and obviously it ended up in our net.

“Third period, we tried to get back to what we did in the first and thought we did a good job but obviously to win is huge for us.”

Red Wings Killers Come Up Huge

The Leafs would be given the chance to win it on a power play in the final moments of regulation time after Kane went off for high sticking. But they held firm against a Leafs power-play unit that had already counted twice in the game.

“I think I was on the ice for most of the penalty kill, so I was breathing through my eyes and just trying to gut it out,” Larkin said.

Then the story would do another 180. Toronto’s Max Domi went to the bin, setting the stage for Larkin’s OT winner.

Reimer A Winner In Milestone Game

Getting the start in what was his 500th NHL game, Detroit goalie James Reimer would make 32 saves to beat his first NHL team.

“We were happy to get it to the intermission with how the second period went,” Larkin said. “Our message was win a period, win a game.

“It ended up that it went a little bit extra but we got two points and Reims was a huge part of it in his 500th game. I can’t be happier for him.”

The post Red Wings Persevere, Live to Fight Another Day appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

No one has to tell Detroit Red Wings defenseman Olli Maatta about how fantastic the core of the Pittsburgh Penguins is. He was living it in person as a Penguins player from 2013-19, winning a pair of Stanley Cups alongside the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.

“I think they’re a proud group,” Maatta said. “They’ve done it for a long time and they still have that hunger. You know how they work day to day. They don’t take any games off. Every game matters for them.

“They want to succeed. They’re special kind of players for sure.”

Sidney Crosby continues to be recognized as the most well-rounded player on the ice – the @Penguins captain has won or tied atop the #NHLPAPlayerPoll most complete player category for five straight seasons! pic.twitter.com/EjX9MS5QQT

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) April 10, 2024

On the morning of Mar. 24, Pittsburgh sat 24th in the NHL standings and 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 30-30-9 record. The Penguins were nine points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot and given just a 1.7% chance of making the postseason per moneypuck.com. Now, the Penguins enter tonight’s game against Detroit with points in nine-straight games (6-0-3). Like the Red Wings, they’re one point out of a playoff spot.

“They’ve been playing great,” Detroit forward Patrick Kane said of the Penguins. “They’ve been finding ways to get points and win games. It’s been impressive, because you thought they were out of the playoff picture around the trade deadline. They’ve had quite a run.”

Crosby Leading The Way

Crosby, as is usually the case, is pacing that progress. He’s been accounting for an NHL-leading 17 points since March 24.

“I don’t think there’s ever enough to be said about how big of a leader, how special of a player he is and has been for a long time,” Maatta said of Crosby. “on’t know how somebody can do that for that long. I didn’t think that was possible but he can do it. He’s shown that. And he’s still doing it at an elite level. I think it’s gonna be a big challenge for us.”

Game Time

Thursday: Detroit at Pittsburgh

Where: PPG Paints Arena

TV/RADIO: Bally Sports Detroit/97.1 FM

Time: 7 p.m.

Penguins Preview

Pittsburgh captain Crosby reached the 40-goal plateau for the third time in his career. He’s the seventh NHL player to post a 40-goal campaign after his 36th birthday . . . Crosby needs two points to tie Phil Esposito for 10th all-time in NHL scoring. “He’s special,” Lalonde said. “He’ll go down as one of the greatest ever. He’s pushing that team.” . . . Pittsburgh is 386-88-46 when both Crosby and Malkin get a point in the same game . . . Former Red Wings goalie Alex Nedeljkovic has gaines points for Pittsburgh in each of his last nine games (6-0-3). That’s a career best for him.

Red Wings Preview

Alex Lyon will be making his sixth consecutive start tonight. “We’re ready to play James (Reimer) any time,” Lalonde said. “We’ll kind of go game by game, but we foresee James getting the net in one of these games. It’s just a matter of when.” . . . Forwards Andrew Copp (broken cheekbone) and Michael Rasmussen (upper body injury) are out.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today recalled center Zach Aston-Reese from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions. pic.twitter.com/1HbSliDuNf

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 10, 2024

Former Penguin Zach Aston-Reese is up from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. “Aston-Reese will probably help us on the penalty kill, having two of our top killers out,” Lalonde said. He’ll play on the foruth line with Christian Fischer and Austin Czarnik. Lalonde is tweaking all four lines. It’s Dylan Larkin-Alex DeBrincat-Lucas Raymond, Patrick Kane-J.T. Compher-David Perron and Joe Veleno-Robby Fabbri-Daniel Sprong on the other lines . . . D pairings remain the same, meaning Justin Holl and Jake Walman will be healthy scratches.

The post Penguins vs. Red Wings: Lines, Notes & How to Watch appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

For some, even some of the most ardent members of the Detroit Red Wings fanbase, there is resignation that the team’s playoff chances have come and gone.

Then there’s a smattering of loyalists who are absolutely anrefusing to give up faith that the team will find a way to get it done.

As far as the players themselves, they recognize the most prudent of movements for them is to distance themselves from the emotional roller coaster that the chase for the NHL’s second Eastern Conference wild card spot is creating.

The only choice they have is to be living in the moment.

The post Red Wings Must Remain Divorced From Emotion of Race (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Patrick Kane is speaking highly of his Detroit Red Wings experience.

“It’s been great,” Kane said of his time in Detroit. “Nothing but positive things to say about the organization, the coaches and the team in here.

“Really happy with the decision to come here.”

That being the case, Kane is offering no inclination that he’s ready to turn this five-month stand into a long-term relationship.

“I think just with the situation I was in and coming in and being here for maybe three-quarters of the season or whatever it was, it’s just this year and then we’ll see what happens,” Kane said.

Detroit goal!

Scored by Patrick Kane with 05:20 remaining in the 3rd period.

Assisted by Alex DeBrincat.

Washington: 3
Detroit: 3#DETvsWSH #ALLCAPS #LGRW pic.twitter.com/PIWRiZJRYF

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) March 27, 2024

Certainly, it’s working out well for all parties. Following radical hip surgery, Kane was joining the Wings in December on a deal covering the remainder of the season. He’s definitely been delivering the goods. His goal in Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to Washington gave him 20 in a season for the 12th time as an NHLer.

“He’s been great,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “The offense he’s produced, the leadership he’s brought, the presence he’s brought to the room, he’s been everything as advertised.”

Red Wings Performance Silences Kane’s Doubters

The Red Wings were among the few clubs willing to take a chance on Kane still being himself following his hip resurfacing procedure. Proving to be the Kane of old, he’ll likely be find himself entertaining offers from plenty of suitors if he’s entering the open market as an unrestricted free agent.

“I haven’t really thought about it much,” Kane said of what’s ahead for him this summer. “Obviously it’s in the back of your mind. It’s gonna come up eventually.”

The major question mark surrounding Kane’s future, his health, is no longer an issue.

“The thing is I’m not feeling pain on the ice,” Kane said. “That’s a lot different than what I was used to the past couple of years, two and a half seasons.

“Obviously feel like it’s going to get better and better as time goes on, which is exciting.”

btw, Patrick Kane is now tied with Mike Modano for most 20-goal seasons of all time by an american player (16) pic.twitter.com/IoB9yD8Zlp

— Emma (@catboyseider) April 10, 2024

The chance to be adding a proven to be healthy Hart, Art Ross and Conn Smythe Trophy winner figures to be appealing to plenty of teams that will be figuring they are Stanley Cup contenders entering the 2024-25 season.

Kane’s camp will likely be fielding plenty of offers. How will the Red Wings be stacking up against these other opportunities? That will be the challenge facing Detroit GM Steve Yzerman. That’s assuming his determination is leaning toward keeping Kane in the fold.

“Obviously, it’s not an easy decision on deciding where you want to play, where you think you’d fit best,” Kane admits. “Hopefully all that stuff figures itself out.”

The post Kane Could be One and Done With Red Wings appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Some of the big guns for the Detroit Red Wings were firing in Sunday’s 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. The trio of captain Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond and Patrick Kane all would score goals in the victory. Together, they were combining to put 10 shots on goal.

Yesterday, the @DetroitRedWings' big names showed up in a big way! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/r67JwMQBjs

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) April 8, 2024

One key component for the Red Wings was again missing in action as far as putting the puck in the next was concerned. Alex DeBrincat failed to score. His account is showing one tally over 18 games since Feb. 29.

“I’ve definitely got to bear down more and put some pucks in the net and work on that,” DeBrincat was acknowledging.

He’s certainly right about that. When the Red Wings were trading first and fourth-round picks, prospect Donovan Sebrango and 20-goal scorer Dominik Kubalik to the Ottawa Senators for DeBrincat last summer, they were doing so with the expectation that he’d be filling the opposition net with pucks.

It’s also why they were inking the native Michigander to a four-year, $31.5 million contract. The Red Wings aren’t paying DeBrincat nearly $8 million per season to create chances. A provision of that stipend is that he be finishing chances.

At the start of the season, he was doing exactly that. Through his first nine games with Detroit, DeBrincat was good for eight goals.

Now, no one was expecting him to maintain a 73-goal pace. Then again, nobody was thinking he’d be falling off to a Michael Rasmussen scoring pace.

Arrival Of Kane Not Sparking DeBrincat

Over his past 68 games, DeBrincat has scored 15 goals. That would work out to an 18-goal campaign over 82 games for the two-time 41-goal scorer.

“We need more looks,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said of DeBrincat. “Keep him around the looks. You got to keep getting those looks and I think they’ll go in and for the most part he has.

“You can tell there’s probably some frustration in his game. Of course, a guy like that wants to score, but just keep getting looks.”

The expectation was that the early-December of Kane, his old Chicago linemate during those 40-goal seasons, would ignite DeBrincat’s finishing touch. Instead, he’s gone further south in his goal production.

In 50 games as Kane’s teammate, DeBrincat is netting pucks at a 17-goal pace.

Kane's son wearing a debrincat jersey pic.twitter.com/BTkxEZFa8A

— ava (@ava_5225) April 5, 2024

“It’s not always gonna go in the net for you,” DeBrincat said. “At this point of the season you gotta focus a lot of defense as well. Not gonna get too much.  Overall, I feel good about my game. I feel good overall.

“Honestly, I think I’ve played some good hockey.”

Honestly? If the Red Wings want to secure a playoff spot, DeBrincat needs to start scoring again.

It’s as simple as that.

The post It’s Simple: Red Wings DeBrincat Needs to Start Scoring Goals appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The next three games will go a long way in determining whether the Detroit Red Wings are going to be a playoff team this spring. A three-game gauntlet launches with a home date Sunday afternoon against the Buffalo Sabres. A win would move the Sabres to within a point of the Red Wings.

Tuesday, the Washington Capitals are in town, Detroit and the Caps are deadlocked at 82 points. On Thursday, the Red Wings travel to Pittsburgh and will be facing the Penguins. Pittsburgh is currently on 83 points.

“Yeah, we have to win games though,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. “We have to get points.

“Everything is magnified in the battles. You have to win your battles, win your moments and don’t leave any plays out there.”

Winning Saturday, the New York Islanders were moving to 85 points. The Philadelphia Flyers are at 83 points, but lost again Sunday, this time to the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets.

Game Time

Sunday: Buffalo at Detroit

Where: Little Caesars Arena

TV/RADIO: Bally Sports/97.1 FM

Time: 1 p.m.

Sabres Preview

Given up for dead, the Sabres have won three out of four, with key victories over the Flyers and Capitals . . . Forward J.J. Peterka has seven goals in the past seven games. He’s scored 25 of his team-leading 28 goals at even strength.

Tage Thompson with the nifty move opens the scoring in Buffalo! pic.twitter.com/GBEba8gsJT

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 5, 2024

Red Wings killer Tage Thompson has nine goals in the last nine games . . . Since March 1, Thompson leads all Sabres skaters in points (19), even-strength points (16), shots (57) and plus/minus (plus-11).

Red Wings Preview

Detroit coach Derek Lalonde is boldly shuffling his lines. He’s going to try Austin Czarnik at center between Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. “Played around with some different things,” Lalonde said. “Sometimes it just connects. Czarnik, Cat and Kane, they’ll get some shifts together post-penalty kill and so forth, it’s looked good. Probably a different look that could potentially help our depth throughout our lineup.”

An absolutely filthy backhander from Patrick Kane breaks the ice! Truly worthy of showtime! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Rv6VY52GuM

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) April 2, 2024

Other lines figure to be David Perron-Larkin-Lucas Raymond, Andrew Copp-J.T. Compher-Christian Fischer and Robby Fabbri-Joe Veleno-Daniel Sprong . . . Forward Michael Rasmussen will miss a second straight game due to an upper-body injury. ““Definitely out for (Sunday),” Lalonde confirmed. “We’ll re-evaluate for practice on Monday. Hopefully for Tuesday but that might be a little aggressive.” . . . Defenseman Olli Maatta (upper-body injury) is questionable . . . Alex Lyon gets the nod in goal.

The post Sabres vs. Red Wings: Lines, Notes & How to Watch appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

State of emergency was trending on X on Friday and amazingly, it had nothing to do with the Detroit Red Wings. Losers of three in a row 60% of the way through a season-high five-game road swing, Detroit is also down two forwards.

Both Patrick Kane and Austin Czarnik are under the weather with illness and listing as doubtful for Saturday afternoon’s 12:30 p.m. start against the Florida Panthers. Their absences wound up forcing the Red Wings to go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen during Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Evidently, Detroit coach Derek Lalonde wasn’t fond of how that set up was working out for his team. To that end, he’s summoning a veteran NHL presence to help out his club. Center Zach Aston-Reese, with 308 NHL games on his resume, is getting a recall from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today recalled forward Zach Aston-Reese from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions. pic.twitter.com/nSPoNZHHfV

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 29, 2024

Aston-Reese, 29, spent the majority of those NHL tilts with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2017-22. He’s also played with the Anaheim Ducks and scored 10 goals last season in 77 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Aston-Reese suited up for one game with the Red Wings earlier this season.

In 56 games for the Griffins, Aston-Reese is showing 13-15-28 totals. He’s very blunt in self-assessing his abilities on the ice.

The @griffinshockey lineup tonight in Chicago will feature 11 forwards and 7 defensemen. Edvinsson, Czarnik and now Aston-Reese are with Detroit. Berggren, Mazur, Gettinger and Simek are out with injury. pic.twitter.com/xmSxuRRbga

— Bob Kaser (@bkaser1) March 29, 2024

“I think I’m a good two-way player,” Aston-Reese said earlier this season upon arriving in Grand Rapids. “Very smart defensively, sometimes a little too defensive. I think this is a great opportunity to work on the offensive side of my game.

“I can play physical. I know that part of my game could be more consistent as far as the physicality and finishing checks.”

Red Wings Need Help

Detroit’s road record of late is appaling. The Red Wings are 0-7-1 through their past eight games away from Little Caesars Arena.

They’ve scored 14 goals over that eight-game span, an average of 1.75 goals per game. Detroit has been shutout three times in the club’s last seven road games, including two of the past three outings.

The post Red Wings Adding Veteran NHLer appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

When the Detroit Red Wings led going into the third period this season, they won 88.9% of the time.  They were 24-3 in that situation coming into Tuesday’s game in Washington. They understand how to hold a lead.

That’s why the 4-3 overtime loss to the Capitals comes with regret.

The Red Wings led 2-1 after 40 minutes and then allowed a tying goal to Connor McMichael 35 seconds into the third period. They made another coverage mistake to let Dylan Strome give Washington a 3-2 advantage four minutes later. The Red Wings fought back to tie on Patrick Kane‘s goal from the slot with 5:20 left in regulation. Then they gave up an odd-man rush in overtime to allow Strome to make his second goal the OT game-winner. Alex DeBrincat was left behind on that goal.

With the win, the Capitals extended their lead over Detroit in the Eastern Conference wild card spot to two points. Washington has 11 games remaining, while Detroit shows 10.

“We knew how important the two points were tonight,” Detroit’s J.T. Compher told Bally Sports. “I think we’d love to have a little better start to the third period, but again we showed the resiliency to get that thing to overtime. Kind of a coin flip a bit for that second point, but we did what we needed to do to bounce back and get to overtime there.”

Washington goal!

Scored by Dylan Strome with 03:05 remaining in the OT period.

Assisted by John Carlson and Hendrix Lapierre.

Washington: 4
Detroit: 3#DETvsWSH #ALLCAPS #LGRW pic.twitter.com/EbBK5hyvt3

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) March 27, 2024

With the Philadelphia Flyers losing to the New York Rangers in overtime, the Capitals are now one point behind Philadelphia for third place in the Metropolitan Division. If the Capitals overtake Philadelphia, the Flyers fall into the wild card race.

“I think our guys are pretty good at judging themselves on the process and our team game has been good,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “The underlying numbers will play out pretty well. This is a game where analytics will tell us we probably should have won but we didn’t. It’s just a matter of not leaving plays out there. Continue to build on our team game. We’ve had some positives of late, but it’s going to have to be even better going into Carolina on Thursday.”

Road Struggles Continue

The Red Wings have played well in their first two games of a five-game road trip against teams with better records. But they only have one point to show for those games. The team needs wins, not an improved playing level. Detroit has lost seven consecutive games on the road.

Detroit had 20 shots on goal in the second period, producing goals by DeBrincat and David Perron to build its 2-1 lead. It was DeBrincat’s first goal in 13 games and Perron’s first goal in 11 games.

McMichael’s goal was the game-changer. Momentum shifted. Strome’s first goal was further deflating.

“I thought we managed it okay. I think it could’ve been a little bit better, but there wasn’t a panic, there was no freak out on the bench,”  Compher said. “We knew that they would push. That’s a team right on the bubble, like us. We knew they’d push to start the period. Once again, we bounced back after that.

Compher said the Red Wings know they can play better. They have to make fewer mistakes if they want to seriously challenge for a playoff spot against Washington or Philadelphia.

“I think we’re still building it up after the tough stretch we had,” Compher said. “I thought we generated a little more offense tonight with the structure still being there. Still some things to clean up. A little better puck management. It’s still getting better but there’s still room for improvement obviously to get the results we need.”

The post Red Wings Fail to Close Out Needed Win Vs. Washington appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The playoffs are officially still 11 games away, but forgive the Detroit Red Wings for feeling like they are already playing for their lives every time they take the ice.

“We’ve been in playoff mode for a while now,” Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot said.

Big trip. pic.twitter.com/C7Gm0iIYcL

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 25, 2024

That will certainly be the case on Tuesday.

At Washington to face to Capitals, Detroit is trailing the Caps by one point for the second Eastern Conference wild card spot. Making matters more concerning for the Wings, the Capitals are also holding a game in hand over Detroit.

“It’s exciting, it’s a fun time of year,” said Detroit forward Patrick Kane, a three-time Stanley Cup winner. “It’s almost like you’re in playoffs right now, even though we have 11 games left.

“You look at (this) like a playoff game. Obviously it’s the team ahead of us in the standings. If we beat them, we’re in a playoff spot. They have a game in hand and they’re playing really well right now, so it’ll be a good test for us.”

Game Time/How to Watch

7 p.m., ET, Bally Sports

Red Wings Preview

Alex Lyon will be in goal for the Red Wings, making his second consecutive start. He’s lost his last eight decisions.

“I just try to keep the same mentality, keep positive,” Lyon said. “It’s very difficult but those are the important things. You’re gonna change your game all the time. You’re always gonna be tweaking the way you feel. How’s my body feeling, how’s my brain feeling, my emotions? But the most important thing is to just continue to fight. Keeping that fight and that energy is vital.”

Defenseman Jake Walman is still sidelined with an undisclosed injury. That means Simon Edvinsson is still playing in Detroit’s top four defenseman . . . Defenseman Dan Petry (illness) is good to go. The Red Wings lines are expected to be David Perron-Dylan Larkin-Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat-J.T. Compher-Patrick Kane, Michael Rasmussen-Andrew Copp-Christian Fischer, Robby Fabbri-Joe Veleno-Austin Czarnik . . . On Monday, the Red Wings assigned forward Jonatan Berggren to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

Detroit has been shut out three times over the past 11 games, including Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Nashville.

“Definitely some good things from the game,” Red Wings forward J.T. Compher said. “Need to create a little more offensively, not be as selective with our shots. Defensively a lot of good things.”

Capitals Preview

Since an 8-3 loss to the Red Wings at Detroit on Feb. 27, Washington goalie Charlie Lindgren is 8-3-0 with a 2.22 GAA, .923 save percentage and two shutouts . . . The Capitals are 4-1 over their past five games and 12-5-1 over the last 18 games. They are 6-2 in their last eight home games.

Alex Ovechkin celebrating his goal with his son behind the glass is everything #allcaps. pic.twitter.com/JfVgg6sRmP

— Alex Micheletti (@AlexMicheletti) March 25, 2024

Washington star Alex Ovechkin has eight goals over his past five games, including a pair of game winners . . . Capitals tough guy Tom Wilson will be sitting out the second of a six-game NHL suspension for high sticking . . . Defenseman John Carlson is riding a five-game point streak (2-3-5).

The post Playoff Race: Red Wings vs. Capitals; Lines, Notes, How to Watch appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Other than the final outcome, there was plenty to like about the performance of the Detroit Red Wings in Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the Nashville Predators.

“You want to win every game but ultimately what you’re looking for is to play the game the right way and to just bring your best and have a good effort,” Detroit goalie Alex Lyon told Bally Sports Detroit.

“It felt like we had that tonight, in a hostile building against a good team that’s obviously playing really well right now.”

On the one hand, he’s right, but here’s the thing – during a late-season playoff race, the bottom line is that the outcome is all that matters. A team isn’t looking to make a point with their play. They’re looking to gain two points in any manner possible.

The Red Wings needs wins. Instead, they are starting a rugged five-game road swing with their sixth successive loss away from the friendly confines of Little Caesars Arena, where they’ve won three in a row.

Detroit is going into Washington for a massive Tuesday showdown clinging to a one-point lead over the Capitals for the NHL’s second Eastern Conference wild card playoff spot. And that could evaporate prior to game time. The Capitals are playing host to the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday.

Much Improvement In Red Wings Performance

There were indded some positive developments for the Red Wings in defeat. It was the first time in six road games that that margin of defeat wasn’t by multiple goals. Detroit held a road opponent under two goals for the first time in seven contests.

“I think we just played a real solid 60 minutes,” Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider said. “I think we deserved a little more tonight but we’ll definitely recover from that, come back stronger.

“We’ll be prepared for the next couple of games.”

That being said, Detroit’s sudden lack of offense is a major concern. Play as well as you want. If you don’t illuminate the red light behind the other team’s net, you’ll never win. And this was the third time in 11 games that Detroit has been shutout. Over the last eight road games the Red Wings are averaging 1.75 goals per game.

JUICE

Juuse Saros helps the @PredsNHL pick up their 17th straight game with a point with his third @pepsi shutout of the season! pic.twitter.com/oyp4uHsLc9

— NHL (@NHL) March 23, 2024

The latest goose brought to a halt point streaks for defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (seven games) and forwards Lucas Raymond and Patrick Kane (six games each). Meanwhile, 23-goal scorer Alex DeBrincat was failing to dent the twine for the 12th successive game.

Dylan Larkin (first period) and Joe Veleno (second period) were robbed on point-blank chances by Predatords goalie Juuse Saros.

Forsberg The Decider

It was a third-period goal by Filip Forsberg that would extend Nashville’s team point streak to 17 games (15-0-2). The goal came from a tire fire of a shift by the Red Wings in their own zone.

SCORESBERG pic.twitter.com/xejrm31Lby

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 23, 2024

Somehow, Lyon kept the puck from crossing the goal line during a wild goalmouth scramble. Following up, the stickless Detroit netminder was making a desperation blocker save on a Roman Josi shot. Recycling that rebound to Forsberg, his high wrist shot finally would beat Lyon on the glove side.

“I think we lost a little bit of our composure and then, it’s on a stick, it’s off a stick and it’s in the back of the net,” Seider said.

The post Red Wings Got Everything They Need . . . Almost appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.