Red Wings on verge of missing the playoffs?
Matt Thompson
Sports Editor
Almost two decades have passed since the last time the Detroit Red Wings didn’t make the playoffs. Since the 1990-91 season, Detroit has reached the playoffs every season. The longest current NHL postseason streak is on the verge of ending.
With 21 games remaining, following the Olympic break, the Wings find themselves on the outside looking in. Detroit is tied with the Dallas Stars at 68 points, and one behind eighth-place Calgary Flames. For Detroit to make the playoffs, it’ll have to go about 14-7 the rest of the way. That would give them at least 96 points, almost certainly putting them in the playoffs.
Seven Wings will have to suit up in the Olympics. Brian Rafalski for the United States, Nickalos Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall and Johan Franzen for Sweden, Pavel Datsyuk for Russia and Valtteri Flippula for Finland will all represent their respective countries.
If it’ll take 14 wins, the Wings will have to win all the “should win” and “toss up” games. Realistically, Detroit most likely won’t be able to win every “should win” game. Beating the Flames twice will be key as the Wings chase them, as well as stealing some of the “tough win” games. With 12 of the remaining games at home the Wings will have to dominate on their own ice and find a way to prevail in at least a few games on the road. And they’ll have plenty of opportunities down the stretch: Seven of their last eight games will be played away from The Joe.
Prediction: For years, Wings fans yawn during the regular season and say, “Wake me up for the playoffs.” This spring, they can sleep in. Detroit misses the playoffs for just the second time in 25 years.
Here’s a list of the remaining games; we’ll see how achievable 14 wins will be.
Should win:
| Team |
Date |
Season series |
Opp. Rec. (W-L_OT) |
Home/Away |
|
| Minnesota Wild |
3/11 |
1-1-1 |
30-27-4 |
HOME |
 |
| Edmonton Oilers |
3/19 |
0-2-1 |
19-36-6 |
AWAY |
|
| St. Louis Blues |
3/24 |
1-3-1 |
28-25-9 |
HOME |
|
| Minnesota Wild |
3/26 |
1-1-1 |
30-27-4 |
HOME |
|
| Edmonton Oilers |
3/30 |
0-2-1 |
19-36-6 |
AWAY |
|
| Columbus Blue Jackets |
4/1 |
2-1-1 |
25-28-10 |
HOME |
|
| Columbus Blue Jackets |
4/7 |
2-1-1 |
25-28-10 |
HOME |
|
| Columbus Blue Jackets |
4/9 |
2-1-1 |
25-28-10 |
AWAY |
|
Toss Up:
| Team |
Date |
Season series |
Opp. Rec. (W-L-OT) |
Home/Away |
|
| Nashville Predators |
3/5 |
2-1-1 |
33-25-5 |
HOME |
|
| Calgary Flames |
3/9 |
1-1 |
30-23-9 |
AWAY |
|
| Buffalo Sabres |
3/13 |
0-1 |
33-18-9 |
HOME |
|
| Calgary Flames |
3/15 |
1-1 |
30-23-9 |
AWAY |
|
| Pittsburg Penguins |
3/22 |
0-1-1 |
36-22-4 |
HOME |
|
| Philadelphia Flyers |
4/4 |
0-0 |
32-25-3 |
AWAY |
|
Tough games:
| Team |
Date |
Season series |
Opp. Rec. (W-L-OT) |
Home/Away |
|
| Colorado Avalanche |
3/1 |
1-2-1 |
35-20-6 |
AWAY |
|
| Vancouver Canucks |
3/3 |
1-1 |
37-33-2 |
HOME |
|
| Chicago Blackhawks |
3/7 |
1-3-1 |
41-15-5 |
AWAY |
|
| Vancouver Canucks |
3/20 |
1-1 |
37-33-2 |
AWAY |
|
| Nashville Predators |
3/27 |
2-1-1 |
33-25-5 |
AWAY |
|
| Nashville Predators |
4/3 |
2-1-1 |
33-25-5 |
AWAY |
|
| Chicago Blackhawks |
4/11 |
1-3-1 |
41-15-5 |
AWAY |
|
