Red Wings Eyeing Playoffs, History, and a Potential Original Six Showdown
The Detroit Red Wings are staring down a big opportunity coming out of the Olympic break: end a nine-year playoff drought and potentially reignite one of the NHL’s most storied rivalries.
If the postseason started today, we’d be looking at a first-round clash that would make hockey purists smile - Detroit vs. Montreal. That’s an Original Six matchup steeped in history, and it hasn’t graced the Stanley Cup Playoffs in nearly half a century.
Think about it: Gordie Howe and Rocket Richard. Terry Sawchuk and Jacques Plante.
Olympia Stadium and the Montreal Forum. Jack Adams and Frank Selke.
These names and places aren’t just part of NHL history - they are NHL history. And with both franchises wearing two of the most iconic sweaters in the game, the visual alone would be a throwback to a golden era.
But this wouldn’t just be a nostalgia trip. Based on current standings and season performance, a Detroit-Montreal series would be a tightly contested battle. Both teams have shown flashes of playoff-caliber play, and neither would enter as a heavy favorite.
The last time these two met in the postseason? 1977-78 - a second-round series Montreal took in five games.
Before that, the 1966 Stanley Cup Final, with the Canadiens winning in six. In total, they’ve faced off in 12 playoff series, with the Red Wings holding the edge, seven to five.
Of course, nothing is locked in yet. Detroit could just as easily draw Pittsburgh in the opening round - a matchup that would stir up memories of their back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals meetings in 2008 and 2009.
Those series were hard-fought, emotional, and defined by elite talent on both sides. A rematch, even in the first round, would carry plenty of weight.
Another potential opponent? Buffalo.
The Sabres and Red Wings have never met in the playoffs. That’s a surprising stat given their proximity and shared division.
But for that to happen, Buffalo would need to punch their ticket to the postseason - something they haven’t done in 14 years.
Offensive Woes Highlight Deadline Needs
While the playoff picture is still forming, one thing is clear: Detroit needs more scoring. Over their last five games, the offense has sputtered, and that puts pressure on GM Steve Yzerman to make a move ahead of the March 6 trade deadline. The Red Wings have shown they can hang with playoff teams, but without more firepower, sustaining a deep run becomes a tall order.
Kane’s Quiet Stretch
Patrick Kane gave the Red Wings a spark when he arrived, hitting the 500-goal milestone in style. But since then, the goals have dried up - 13 games without lighting the lamp, though he’s chipped in six assists during that span. With Detroit’s offense hitting a rough patch, a strong finish from Kane could be the difference between making the playoffs and just missing the cut.
There’s still time for the Red Wings to tighten things up, find their scoring touch, and lock down a postseason berth. And if they do, the hockey world might just be treated to a playoff series nearly five decades in the making.