Another Red Wings March to Oblivion

In these parts, the term March Madness has nothing to do with college basketball and everything to do with Detroit Red Wings fans pulling their hair out by the roots. And the root cause for this angst is the absolute inability of their favorite team to resemble a hockey team during the month of March.

For the third straight season, the Red Wings came into the third month of the season on the cusp of being an NHL playoff team. And for the third straight season, it’s proven to be a fruitless march to oblivion.

Since March 1, the Red Wings are 2-8-0. They’ve scored 25 goals and allowed 35 goals. The month has included a five-game losing streak.

Sunday afternoon practice at @UtahOlympicOval for the @DetroitRedWings, who are preparing to face the @utahhockeyclub tomorrow night. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/D0v1bvcuOA

— Jonathan Mills (@JonathanDMillsy) March 23, 2025

“Everyone’s got to come to play,” forward Alex DeBrincat said. “Obviously we gotta . . .  we can’t take any more games off.”

After Detroit’s latest loss, Saturday’s 6-3 setback at Vegas, Red Wings coach Todd McLellan was questioning the commitment of some of his players.

“We’re not sure we want to do some things,” McLellan said.

McLellan can be forgiven for not understanding. He’s new around here. He doesn’t know that this is just business as usual for this team during the month of March.

Red Wings March Madness

In each of the past three seasons, entering March, playoff hockey was a realistic possibility for the Red Wings. And those hopes and dreams have ultimately been derailed by dismal performances during the month of March.

Last season, the Wings went 3-9-2 in March. They allowed 52 goals while scoring 31 times and endured a six-game losing streak. The 2022-23 season saw Detroit go 5-9-1 in March, scoring 39 goals while allowing 54. There were a pair of three-game losing skids during the month.

Combined, the team is 8-26-3 in March over the past three seasons.

Another late Season Epic Collapse by the #RedWings.. what was once a Promising Chance at the Playoffs is now almost Diminished… #LGRW #NHL @NHL @DetroitRedWings

— TheCupofJoeintheD (@CupofJoeintheD2) March 23, 2025

Turning around this March will prove challenging. It doesn’t get any easier, with back-to-back road games Monday at Utah and Tuesday in Colorado.

“We’ve never been in Utah, but doesn’t get any easier with Colorado on a back to back,” captain Dylan Larkin said. “So we got to start winning some hockey games and taking care of our own business.”

Otherwise, it’s simply going to be another March to oblivion for the Red Wings.