The Detroit Red Wings are heading into the Olympic break in a position fans haven’t seen in nearly a decade - firmly in the playoff mix. With a 33-19-6 record through 58 games, they sit third in the Atlantic Division and have built a seven-point cushion over the closest non-playoff team. That’s not just a good spot - it’s the best shape this franchise has been in since their last postseason appearance nine years ago.
But while the standings show promise, the recent stretch has exposed some cracks that Detroit will need to patch if they want to finish strong.
A Tale of Two Months
January was largely a success. The Red Wings went 8-4-3 - a solid month that kept them in playoff position. But the way they closed it, and how they opened February, left a few warning lights blinking on the dashboard.
In their final five games before the break, Detroit went 1-3-1. That lone win, however, was a gem - a 2-0 shutout in Denver over the Colorado Avalanche, arguably one of the Red Wings’ most complete performances of the season. That game was a blueprint for what this team can look like when everything clicks: structured, disciplined, and opportunistic.
The problem? The other four games in that stretch told a different story.
There was a flat 3-1 loss to the Kings, a 4-3 shootout defeat to the Capitals that required two late goals just to force overtime, a 5-0 blowout loss in a rematch with Colorado, and a 4-1 stumble against the Utah Mammoth. Across those four losses, the Wings looked out of sync, especially early in games - a recurring issue that’s becoming a real concern.
First-Period Woes and Special Teams Struggles
Let’s talk about those first periods. Over the last five games, Detroit was outscored 5-1 in the opening frame and outshot 41-33.
That’s not how you want to start games, especially this late in the season with playoff positioning on the line. Falling behind early has been a theme all year, and it’s something that could haunt them down the stretch if not addressed.
Even-strength scoring has also dried up. In those five games, the Red Wings managed just two goals at 5-on-5.
That’s not going to cut it, especially when the power play is sputtering too. Despite being ranked in the NHL’s top 10 with a 23.1% success rate, Detroit went just 1-for-16 on the man advantage during this recent stretch.
For a team with top-end talent like Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin, and Patrick Kane - that’s a slump they can’t afford to let linger.
Help Wanted: Depth and Defense
It’s becoming increasingly clear that this team could use some reinforcements. The rumor mill has linked Detroit to upgrades at both forward and on the blue line, and there’s reason to believe general manager Steve Yzerman may be active leading up to the trade deadline.
On defense, the return of Simon Edvinsson after the Olympic break will help, but the Wings could still use another steady presence - ideally a right-shot defenseman to balance things out. The sixth defenseman spot has been a revolving door, with Jacob Bernard-Docker, Travis Hamonic, and Erik Gustafsson all getting looks. Rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka has shown flashes, but he’s just 20 and in his first NHL season - asking him to carry too much responsibility this early could backfire.
Three names that have surfaced as possible targets include Justin Faulk from the St. Louis Blues - who comes with another year on his deal - and a pair of pending free agents from Winnipeg: Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley. Faulk, with his experience and contract term, may be the most intriguing fit if Detroit is looking for more than just a rental.
Forward Help Could Lighten the Load
Offensively, the top-heavy nature of Detroit’s attack is starting to show. Of the team’s 174 goals this season, nearly half - 83 - have come from just four players: Raymond, DeBrincat, Larkin, and Kane. That’s a lot of pressure on one group, especially when the secondary scoring goes quiet.
One name that’s been floated is Vincent Trocheck. The Rangers are sliding, and if they decide to sell, Trocheck could be a strong fit in Detroit.
He brings scoring touch (eight 20-goal seasons), playoff experience (37 points in 56 career postseason games), and term - three more seasons after this one. The only hurdle?
A 12-team no-trade list, but if Detroit isn’t on it, he’d be a valuable addition.
Another potential option is Michael Bunting out of Nashville. He’s a pending UFA with 12 goals and 18 assists this season, and he brings a gritty edge that this Red Wings forward group could use. At 30 years old, Bunting could slot into a middle-six role and give Detroit some much-needed bite and scoring depth.
The Road Ahead
The schedule after the Olympic break isn’t doing the Red Wings any favors. They’ll open with a three-game road swing through Ottawa, Carolina, and Nashville before returning home for matchups with Vegas and Florida.
And here’s the kicker: 22 of Detroit’s final 24 games are against teams with a .500 record or better. That’s a gauntlet. Ten of those games are within the Atlantic Division, meaning Detroit will have plenty of chances to control their own destiny - but also little margin for error.
This is where the grind begins. The Red Wings have put themselves in position to end a nine-year playoff drought, but the job isn’t done. They’ll need to clean up their starts, get more from their depth, and possibly add a piece or two to push them over the finish line.
The opportunity is there. Now it’s about seizing it.