As the calendar flips to March, the Detroit Red Wings find themselves facing a familiar foe: the month that has historically derailed their playoff ambitions. Over the past few years, March has been a month to forget for the Wings, with their postseason dreams slipping away like sand through fingers.
Coach Todd McLellan, however, is determined to change the narrative. "I'm tired of the March talk," he stated firmly. "It's just another month in our season."
But history tells a different story. In March 2023, the Red Wings were sitting comfortably in the second Wild Card spot with a 28-21-8 record. Then came a dismal 5-9-1 run that saw them finish the season on a 7-16-2 skid.
Fast forward to 2024, and Detroit found themselves in the first Wild Card position with a solid 33-20-6 record, holding an eight-point lead over their nearest competitors. Yet again, March proved cruel, as they stumbled to a 3-9-2 record and missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker.
Last season echoed this pattern. The Wings were leading the Wild Card race at 30-22-6, only to suffer a 4-10-0 March, eventually missing the playoffs with a 9-13-2 finish over the final stretch.
In the past three seasons, the Red Wings have managed just 12 wins out of 43 games in March, posting a 12-28-3 record. It's a trend McLellan is eager to break.
"Our focus is forward," McLellan emphasized. "Most of the guys in that locker room weren't part of the past struggles.
This team is carving out its own identity. We're not dwelling on March anymore."
The message is clear: this year's team is determined to write its own story. "We're going to play our game," McLellan insisted.
"If you keep dwelling on the past, you're bound to repeat it. That's not what we want."
As the Red Wings gear up for another March, they're setting their sights on a different outcome. This time, they're ready to march to their own beat.