Red Wings Skid Looks Hauntingly Familiar

Wednesday’s home game against the Buffalo Sabres feels like a seminal moment for the Detroit Red Wings. It’s either going to be the end of the club’s six-game losing streak, or the end of the Red Wings season, for all intents and purposes.

If Detroit can’t beat the worst team in the NHL’s Eastern Conference on home ice, then it’s all over. It’s really that simple.

“It’s about putting wins in the win column and especially at this time of the year,” Detroit forward Lucas Raymond said. “So, obviously, it stinks right now.”

Last season, a seven-game slide at a similar point in the season ultimately proved fatal. Detroit would miss the playoffs by a single point.

They banged away tonight, but Red Wings can't break through their playoff wall.

2023: 6-game skid from Feb. 25-March 5. Lost WC spot.
2024: 7-game skid from Feb. 29-March 14. Lost 8-point lead on WC spot.
2025: 6-game skid from Feb. 27-March 10. Lost 4-point lead on WC spot.

— Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) March 11, 2025

On paper, both streaks look hauntingly familiar. And that’s leading to a sense of here we go again among those surrounding or supporting the team.

While he admits to understanding the familiar feeling, Red Wings coach Todd McLellan is choosing to emphasize the differences.

“I think we’re our own group and we’re going to write our own story,” McLellan said. “It’s easy to tie it in, though. I know why you’re asking those questions, and it makes sense.

“I’d ask them, too.”

Last Season Was Much Worse For Red Wings

However, in point of fact, last season’s slide was much worse that this year’s skid. Detroit scored 12 goals during the seven-game losing streak, or 1.71 goals per game. In the current six-game slide, the Wings’ account shows 11 goals, or 1.83 per game.

On the defensive side is where things were much worse a year ago. Detroit surrendered 36 goals in the seven consecutive losses. That’s 5.14 per game. This year’s team has only coughed up 23 goals in the six losses, or 3.83 per game.

All seven losses last season were multi-goal setbacks. Two of six losses this season were by one goal.

Detroit is 0-3 at home and 0-3 on the road in this year’s drought. The Wings were 0-3 at home and 0-4 on the road while losing seven in a row last year.

All Losses Are The Same

The bottom line is that a loss is a loss. Monday’s 2-1 heartbreaker at Ottawa in which Detroit put 49 shots on goal is no different that the previous game. On Friday, the Red Wings squandered a 2-1 third-period lead at lost 5-2 at Washington. Two of the four third-period goals against came while Detroit was on the power play.

Doesn’t matter. Both setbacks count for nothing in the standings. At this time of year, that’s the only math that matters.

Y’all got any more of those Detroit Red Wings 7 game winning streaks? pic.twitter.com/fe3XIjUDG3

— YzeRohan (@YzeRohan) March 11, 2025

“It’s results,” Raymond said. “It’s about winning hockey games and finding ways to win, and we haven’t done a good enough job with that.”

He’s absolutely right. But you know what? Let’s end this assessment on a positive note.

Last year, Detroit’s seven-game slide came to a halt on home ice thanks to a 4-1 win over Buffalo.

In this instance, Red Wings fans would be delighted to see history repeat itself.