Red Wings Still a Playoff Team

The Detroit Red Wings aren’t going into the two-week NHL break on a good note. However, the fact of the matter is that things could be much worse today.

Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat’s suggestion was that the club focus on the big picture while enjoying some time off.

“I think we forget about this one and come back after the break rested and get back to work,” DeBrincat said following Saturday’s 6-3 home-ice loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Final.

We'll head into the 4 Nations break and return to action Saturday, February 22nd. pic.twitter.com/vmIRlykZ6x

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 8, 2025

And in that big picture, thanks to some help from the New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights, the overall state of affairs is still showing Detroit situated in a playoff position.

Had either the Boston Bruins or Columbus Blue Jackets won on Saturday, they would’ve leap-frogged the Red Wings into the final NHL Eastern Conference Wild Card position.

Instead, the Golden Knights would score two unanswered third-period goals to rally for a 4-3 win over the Bruins. It was the second straight game in which Boston was squandering a third-period scoreboard advantage en route to a regulation loss.

The previous game, it was the Rangers rallying to beat the Bruins. And on Saturday, New York came storming back with a pair of third-period goals to beat the Blue Jackets 4-3.

Red Wings Only Hot Team

Even with Saturday’s loss, Detroit has won seven of the past eight games. Among the teams in the hunt for the Wild Card placings in the East, only the Red Wings are showing any sort of recent life.

The standings show the Ottawa Senators with 62 points and occupying the first Wild Card spot. However, the Sens have lost three in a row.

Detroit sits with 61 points. Boston (60) has dropped two straight and is 5-5 over the past 10 games. Columbus (60) is 4-5-1 through the last 10 outings.

Another last minute goal?! 🤦‍♂️ #nhlbruins pic.twitter.com/WLlF07mfB9

— Papa Bruin’s Fam (@BigBadBruins88) February 8, 2025

Sitting with 58 points, the Rangers are 5-4-1 over the last 10. The New York Islanders (57) were on a roll, with seven wins in the past 10 games. But they’ve suddenly dropped two in a row.

Of the three teams with 55 points, none among Montreal (3-6-1), Pittsburgh (4-5-1), or Philadelphia (3-6-1) is showing signs of life.

“I think our game’s in a pretty good spot,” DeBrincat said. “Obviously not as good (Saturday), but overall we’re doing good things and winning games and, yeah, the feeling’s confident in that room.

“The break’s going to be nice to get rested and come back full strength.”