What Next For Red Wings?

What’s the next step for the Detroit Red Wings? Well, for starters, coming home, arguably for the biggest set of games in this season.

If the Wings are going to turn this thing around and right this ship, now’s the time. They play five of the next six games in the friendly confines of Little Caesars Arena.

“We can’t hang our heads,” Detroit goalie Cam Talbot told FanDuel Sports Detroit following the club’s 0-2-1 California trip. “We’ve got five out of six at home. We need to do a good job of establishing home-ice advantage and taking care of business at home. And then we’ll bring that back out on the road when it comes time.”

Sounds like a plan. Implementing it? Well, there’s the issue.

Dismal Start To Season For Red Wings

During a 7-9-2 start to the NHL season, there’s not much for the Red Wings to be bragging about.

They can’t score. Detroit is averaging 2.56 goals per game. That’s 26th in the NHL.

They can’t keep it out of their net. The Red Wings are allowing 3.33 goals per game. That’s 22nd in the league.

They can’t kill penalties. Detroit is now dead last on the PK at 66.7%. The Wings have allowed 17 power-play goals in 51 times shorthanded. Only the Boston Bruins (19) have allowed more power-play goals.

The Bruins fired coach Jim Montgomery on Tuesday. Maybe you heard.

Detroit can’t score at even strength. Only Nashville (21) is scoring at a slower pace five-on-five than the Red Wings.

They spend way too much time in their own zone. During the California swing, Detroit was outshot 105-63.

The Wings have just one win this season against a team currently holding down a playoff position. That was a 5-3 home-ice victory over the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 24.

Turnaround Must Happen Now

Amazingly, thanks to the NHL’s third-best power play, which is clicking at a 32% success rate and Talbot’s .920 save percentage, the Wings are only three points out of a playoff spot.

I guess if there is any solace about where the Red Wings are right now, it's that the majority of the conference is right there with them. pic.twitter.com/OKidrPaSmE

— Devin L. (@HockeyWithDevin) November 19, 2024

“We just need a spark,” Talbot said. “Some offense. Your goalie to steal one for you.”

Still, it’s difficult to believe that a club that hasn’t been able to play any semblance of sound, consistent hockey through the first 18 games of the season is suddenly going to find their way.

Last season, a 3-0 California trip was launching the Red Wings along an exciting path that came up one point shy of a postseason berth.

This season, a winless California trip may be telling us who this season’s Red Wings really are.