It wasn’t just another loss for the Detroit Red Wings. The opportunity to continue climbing in the Atlantic Division and keep building momentum as serious contenders in the NHL was shattered after their road defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Alex DeBrincat, one of the team’s standout players, didn’t hide his frustration after letting this important chance to keep growing slip away.
“It’s hard to come back in this league,” said Alex DeBrincat vial NHL.com. “Obviously, puck bounces, outdoor game. It is what it is. We got to regroup and come back on Tuesday stronger.”
DeBrincat’s comments came after the 5-3 loss to the Blue Jackets in the Stadium Series. Following this tough setback for Todd McLellan’s team, the Red Wings are currently in fourth place in the Atlantic Division.
Despite the frustration from the loss, the former Blackhawks winger expressed being happy to have scored once again for his team: “I feel like it’s just going in for me right now. You have ways that go the other way as well, so try to just work hard and get the puck back. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of that. As a line, we’ve done a pretty good job of that, and are getting chances and scoring goals.”
Dylan Larkin #71 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against Dante Fabbro #15 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period of the 2025 NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium on March 01, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
The Detroit team, despite having a strong roster full of talent, couldn’t find their rhythm in a game played under unusual conditions, as it was held outdoors—something rare in the NHL.
McLellan praised his team’s effort despite the loss
Undoubtedly, a loss is the least expected outcome for any team, but there are ways and ways to lose a game. For coach Todd McLellan, beyond everything, what he doesn’t compromise on is his team’s effort on the ice.
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Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin makes very honest confession after Stadium Series loss to Blue Jackets
“Prior to the game, we talked about whatever the result was going to be, as long as we had a good effort, we should cherish what we just went through here,” Detroit HC Todd McLellan said. “It’s a really unique experience. It was an incredible night. Well done to the League, city of Columbus. Obviously, the Blue Jackets deserve a lot of credit for the way they put this game on. It was real smooth and first class all the way through.
“I think the fans got a hell of a game to watch, and we’ll all tell those stories 10 years from now, but you’d love to end that story by saying, ‘Oh, by the way, we won.’ We can’t do that now. Hopefully, some of us get another chance to play in this and we can finish the story that way. I think we played well enough to win, but we have work to do as far as managing it.”
Head coach Todd McLellan of the Detroit Red Wings looks on prior to the start of the second period of the 2025 NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium on March 01, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Larkin’s post-game message
Dylan Larkin is another of the key players for the Red Wings, and he couldn’t hide his frustration after the defeat. Despite this, the Detroit star told the press post-game that they know how to get out of this situation.
“We’ve been here before. There’s experience that we gained through that. I said it yesterday: we control our own destiny. We played well. We deserve better. We get back in that game, we got to find a way no matter what… They score the game-winner, and that’s a tough one for us.”
What’s next for the Red Wings?
- Tuesday 4th, vs. Carolina Hurricanes
- Thursday 6th, vs. Utah Hockey Club
- Friday 7th, vs. Washington Capitals
- Monday 10th, vs. Ottawa Senators
- Wednesday 12th, vs. Buffalo Sabres
