The Detroit Red Wings are battling through a tense final stretch of the season, sitting just 2 points out of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
With the margin for error shrinking, their playoff hopes once again hang in the balance, and the conversation around their long postseason drought has resurfaced.
Why the Detroit Red Wings’ Playoff Drought Has Continued Since 2016
Detroit’s drop from the top of the Atlantic Division in December to a tight wild-card battle by late March has come down to a mix of injuries, uneven depth, and shaky 5-on-5 play. They looked like legitimate contenders during an impressive 11-3-1 run in December, but issues started to surface once the calendar flipped to 2026.
The biggest setback came on March 6, when captain Dylan Larkin suffered a non-contact leg injury against the Florida Panthers. Detroit has historically struggled without its top center, and during Larkin’s 7-game absence, the team went 3-3-1, losing valuable ground in the standings.
At the same time, key veterans Andrew Copp and recent trade acquisition David Perron are sidelined with lower-body injuries, leaving the team without key leadership during a crucial stretch.
Former Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios, who spent 10 seasons in Detroit, believes the issue goes beyond just injuries. He pointed to a recurring pattern of strong starts followed by late-season struggles.
“Yeah, I mean this has been three years in a row now. They’ve had great starts. I remember two years ago (Dylan) Larkin got hurt and they lost 11 in a row, that basically put them out of the playoffs. But now again, you go from being in first place… now they’re finding themselves out of the wild card spot. So shocking,” Chelios said.
ALSO READ: Detroit Red Wings News: Patrick Kane Could Hit Cool $4 Million Payday Ahead of Stanley Cup Playoffs
He also noted that solid goaltending from John Gibson helped stabilize things at times, but consistency has remained elusive.
When asked why Detroit hasn’t been able to get over the hump, Chelios highlighted the lack of an impact player.
“Unlike Chicago, who’s had a first pick overall, second pick overall… Detroit hasn’t gotten lucky with the draft. They haven’t been able to acquire that impact player… You gotta hope you get that first pick or second pick overall to have a guy who can step in and make your team that much better.”
Detroit’s playoff drought dates back to the 2015-16 season. And the pressure is mounting as the team fights to avoid another near miss. With only a handful of games remaining, every point is critical.
For now, the Red Wings turn their attention to a key matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.
