The Detroit Red Wings are riding high at the top of the Atlantic Division-at least for now. After picking up a point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild, they’ve edged ahead of Tampa Bay in the standings. That point may not have come with a win, but in a tight division race, every sliver of momentum matters.
According to moneypuck.com, Detroit’s playoff chances are looking strong, sitting at 86.2%. And if you’re dreaming a little bigger?
They’ve got a 40.4% shot at making it to the second round. For a team that’s been clawing its way back to relevance in recent seasons, those odds aren’t just encouraging-they’re a sign of real progress.
But as any Red Wings fan knows, this season isn’t going to be a smooth ride. Every high seems to come with a bit of a reality check, and that’s exactly where Detroit finds itself now.
Let’s start with the standings. Yes, the Red Wings are technically in first place, but Tampa Bay has four games in hand.
If the Lightning even split those extra games, Detroit could find itself back in second. So while the standings look good on paper, they come with an asterisk.
Then there’s the injury situation. Defenseman Simon Edvinsson missed Thursday’s game with an undisclosed issue, and his status for Saturday’s matchup against Winnipeg is still up in the air.
“He was questionable leaving Toronto last night,” head coach Todd McLellan told reporters after the game in St. Paul. “We thought we might be able to get him through another game, but having tomorrow off will certainly help.”
If Edvinsson can’t go, that’s a big hole on the blue line. The young defenseman has been a stabilizing presence, and his absence would be felt against a Jets team that, despite its place in the standings, is playing much better hockey lately.
Speaking of Winnipeg, don’t let their 29th-place ranking fool you. The Jets have found their footing, going 5-1-2 in their last eight games. That’s not the kind of opponent you want to face with a banged-up lineup and a tenuous grip on first place.
Still, there’s plenty to feel good about in Hockeytown.
Moritz Seider is starting to get legitimate buzz in the Norris Trophy conversation. He’s been a force on the back end, combining physical play with high-end hockey IQ. He’s doing the kind of things that don’t always show up on the scoresheet-but scouts and voters are clearly taking notice.
And while Patrick Kane has just one point in his last five games, he’s closing in on a major career milestone. The production might not be there right now, but his presence on the ice continues to draw attention from defenders and open up space for his teammates.
In the pipeline, there’s even more reason for optimism. Carter Bear, the Red Wings’ 2025 first-round pick, is heating up in the WHL.
He’s picked up points in seven of his last eight games, including five multi-point performances. With 18 goals in 29 games, Bear is now tied for the team lead with the Everett Silvertips.
He added two more goals in a 5-3 win over Kelowna on Thursday, pushing his season total to 12 points during this recent hot streak.
So yes, there are concerns. The standings are tight, the injury list is growing, and the schedule doesn’t get any easier. But if you’re a Red Wings fan, you’ve got a team that’s winning games, developing young talent, and finally playing meaningful hockey in January.
That’s not just progress-it’s the kind of foundation that could carry this team into a deep playoff run.