The Detroit Red Wings were on a hot run for the playoffs until late January, but could not hold their position during a late-season tight Atlantic Division race. Even with a roster built to compete, they struggled and dropped points when the margin for error was thin.
That slide not only ended their playoff push but also tied them with the Montreal Canadiens in a rare piece of NHL history. It reflects how ruthless an 82-game regular season can be.
How the Detroit Red Wings’ Collapse Ties a Rare NHL Playoff Recor
Detroit’s season officially ended on Saturday after a 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils, confirming their elimination from playoff contention and extending their drought to 10 straight seasons.
The Red Wings have a record of 41-30-9, giving them 91 points with two games left in the season. It shows marginal progress from recent years but falls short in a crowded division. Despite holding a playoff position for much of the season, their late slide proved costly in a race where several teams crossed the 100-point mark.
The collapse gained wider attention after NHL insider Stephen Whyno highlighted how sharply Detroit’s season turned. He wrote, “The Red Wings’ collapse is something else. They woke up Jan. 25 leading the Atlantic Division and tied for the most points in the Eastern Conference, with a 12-point playoff cushion: 32-16-5 (69 points). If they lose in regulation today, they’ll be 8-9-3 since and outside a spot.”
Associated Press writer Josh Dubow added further context by linking Detroit’s finish to a rare historical mark. He shared, “The Red Wings are the 2nd team in NHL history to have 69+ points in the first 53 games and miss the playoffs. The Canadiens did it in 1969-70 (also 69 points).”
This comparison places Detroit alongside a long-standing record that has rarely been matched, highlighting how unusual their drop-off has been.
Offensively, the Red Wings have been productive, scoring 237 goals and getting strong contributions from Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond, and Dylan Larkin. The power play operated at 23.2%, ranking among the league’s better units, but defensive inconsistency and a 77.4% penalty kill created ongoing issues. Goaltender John Gibson handled a heavy workload after arriving in a trade, yet the team struggled to limit chances in front of him.
In contrast, the Canadiens have moved in the opposite direction this season, building a 48-23-10 record and 106 points to stay near the top of the division. Their rise shows how competitive the Atlantic has become, leaving little margin for error. Detroit’s improvement over the past few years has not translated into a postseason breakthrough, and this latest result shows how thin the line remains.
The Red Wings will next face Tampa Bay and Florida, aiming to close their schedule on a positive note. However, the focus will be on evaluating how a season that once looked secure slipped away so late.
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