Will the Detroit Red Wings Rise Above Their Struggles To Make the Playoffs?

In what may be the last stand for Dylan Larkin and the Detroit Red Wings, the question everyone is asking is, “Will they make it to the NHL playoffs this time?” The team has already missed the playoffs for eight straight seasons, and as each day passes, the risk of extending this streak looms larger.

The Red Wings’ performance in recent games has drawn criticism due to sloppy plays and late-season struggles. In a game against St. Louis on April 1, 2025, J.T. Compher scored in the third period for Detroit, giving them a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, this advantage did not hold up, and the Red Wings ended up suffering another demoralizing loss. This defeat was a reflection of how the club has been playing recently – seemingly not to win but not to lose as well.

Such a mindset is detrimental to a team that is already in a precarious position. As of April 3, the Red Wings sit four points out of the final wild-card spot in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. Their performance after returning from the 4Nations Faceoff Break in late February has been less than ideal, and it seems the toughest strength of schedule remaining in the league has taken a toll on the team.

Throughout March, the Red Wings managed only four wins, the second-fewest after the Boston Bruins. The Red Wings’ poor performance extended to their penalty kill – the worst in the league at 64.5%. Furthermore, they scored just 38 total goals, with 26 of those thanks to the advantage of playing with a man ahead.

While the team as a whole has been struggling, certain individual performances have also been lacking. Captain Dylan Larkin, usually a reliable scorer for the club, has posted just three points in his last nine games. Vladimir Tarasenko, a player known for multiple 30-goal seasons, is on pace to score only 11 goals this year.

The defensemen haven’t been spared from criticism either. Moritz Seider has been under fire for his sometimes sloppy play, and Ben Chiarot has just five points with a plus/minus of -14 since the start of the year. These two, who often man the top defense pairing for the team, are averaging more than three goals allowed per game.

The playoff dream is still technically alive for the Red Wings, but it will require something spectacular for them to make it. Of their remaining eight games, six are against teams that made the playoffs last year and two are against teams likely to make it this year. If they can secure at least six wins from these games, they may have a shot at qualifying for the chase for the Stanley Cup. However, the question remains: would it be worth it?

Would the organization be content with squeezing into a wild card spot just to potentially be swept by a heavyweight team like the Capitals? The roster isn’t necessarily comprised of young players who would benefit from playoff experience, and making it to the playoffs would mean not being part of the draft lottery. Thus, does it make sense for them to continue pursuing the playoffs?

These are trying times for an original six franchise with a fanbase that is losing patience. While the Wings may not start tanking, it’s clear that significant improvements need to be made if they are to break their eight-season playoff drought.