Red Wings Understand Terrain is Rougher Near the Top

Even as his Detroit Red Wings sits in first place in the Atlantic Division, coach Todd McLellan understands that the terrain changes dramatically in the NHL landscape with every step you take.

“If you’re on the top of the mountain, you’re really not on top of the mountain,” McLellan said. “You’re in the middle of the forest.”

The Red Wings own a one-point lead over the Boston Bruins, and yet they are only three points from being out of the playoffs. A home loss to the New York Islanders Thursday would move Patrick Roy’s team ahead of Detroit.

How are we feeling about these current Stanley Cup Playoffs series?

The full NHL Bubble Watch on ESPN is here, including playoff probabilities and causes for concern.

➡️https://t.co/jc6faqy4nL pic.twitter.com/gKUDnb1ve8

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) November 19, 2025

“It’s so tight, there may be a little changing of the guards,” McLellan said. “Some of the powerhouses may be getting a little older. Some of the teams that were trying to climb that mountain may be catching up. It is really tight, but it’s only 20 games.

Near Quarter Pole

With 20 games played, the Red Wings have played 24.4% of their schedule. But former Red Wings general manager Ken Holland long held that teams in a playoff spot on “American Thanksgiving” would likely qualify for the playoffs. A review of the numbers does support the notion that the probability of qualifying is significantly higher if you are in a spot on Thanksgiving. That’s just eight days away.

“When you get into those last 10 or 12 games and you’re six or eight points in or out, that’s a significant number to make up even with three-point nights,” McLellan said. “You have to manage every segment and get the best out of your team. We’re trying to do that. We’ll start a new 10, game one tomorrow. It’s important that we take more points than we give away.”

McLellan is a believer in the Thanksgiving NHL playoff barometer.

“I have been in the past,” McLellan said. ” I think the numbers stack up and the percentages… But it’s not 100% accurate. And this year it’s probably going to get tested based on where we’re at.”