Red Wings Route to Playoffs Will be Tough Road

If the Detroit Red Wings do battle their way into the NHL playoffs, it won’t be a miracle on ice. It will be quite a remarkable achievement, though.

The road ahead for the Red Wings is filled with potholes and detours.

Friday’s 4-2 road loss to the Carolina Hurricanes began a run that will see the Wings playing teams ahead of them in the standings in every remaining regular season game. Of Detroit’s remaining 16 games, only six will be played at Little Caesars Arena.

Pucks on net.
Pucks on net.
Pucks on net. pic.twitter.com/eTDSkgODL5

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) March 15, 2025

All but four games are against current playoff teams. There are three games slated against second-place teams and five facing clubs occupying first place in their division, including each of the next three games.

Detroit plays host to the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday afternoon (1 p.m. EST). Following that is a four-game road trip that’s taking the Red Wings to race the Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals. Next up after that is a rematch on the road at Vegas.

Final.

Back home on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/W117OoJeOt

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 15, 2025

The Wings are currently two points out of the second Eastern Conference wild card spot for the NHL playoffs.

Plenty Of Tough Tests Ahead For Red Wings

Not wanting to be caught looking too far head, Detroit coach Todd McLellan is maintaining a razor-focus on the immediate task ahead. That would be Sunday’s game against the Golden Knights.

“We know what we’re going to face on Sunday – or maybe we don’t because we haven’t had our pre-scout,” McLellan told the media following Friday’s 4-2 loss at Carolina. “But our attempt at a win there is going to have to be more consistent than it was here.

“The game may be a little different, they play the game a little different. But if we’re not in for 60, it doesn’t matter what momentum we’re talking about or what preparation we’re talking about.

“It’s not the time of the year to play two periods. It’s the time to come up with three.”

The Golden Knights are a big team that plays a heavy game. That’s the type of squad which will generally be giving the Red Wings a rough ride. Just eight days ago, Detroit was handed a 5-2 whipping at Washington.

Red Wings Slowly Improving

Adding to Detroit’s difficulties when it comes to making a playoff run, there’s the reality that the Wings are 1-7 over their last eight games. The team’s performance is improving over the past few games. However, in two of those games, there were just enough lapses to prevent victory.

“It’s hard to sit here and say that you feel really, really good about it when you’re not getting results this time of year, given the position we’re in,” Detroit captain Dylan Larkin told FanDuel Sports Detroit. “So you’d like to play that way and get results.

“That’s the thing. That’s what we’re looking for. Every night is two points.”