The 2024–25 season ended in heartbreak for the Detroit Red Wings and their captain, Dylan Larkin, as the team once again failed to secure a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the result was not entirely unexpected, it underscored the steep decline Detroit endured following the 4 Nations tournament.
Since February 27, the Red Wings posted a discouraging record of 9 wins, 13 losses, and 2 overtime losses. Their postseason hopes officially evaporated with a crushing defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the regular-season finale.
Detroit appeared poised to close out the year on a high note, entering the third period against Toronto with a 3–1 lead. However, a goal by Philippe Myers early in the final frame brought the Maple Leafs within one, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Despite sustained pressure, Toronto struggled to break through—until the final second of regulation, when Chris Tanev netted a stunning equalizer to force overtime.
What followed was an even more painful blow for the Red Wings and their fans. Barely a minute into overtime, Scott Laughton ended Detroit’s season with the sudden-death winner. The Red Wings closed their campaign with a record of 39–35–8, leaving both players and fans with a bitter taste.
Dylan Larkin #71 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on April 16, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Larkin voices his frustration after another lost season
“It’s a disappointing night to finish off a disappointing year,” said Dylan Larkin, according to MLive’s Ansar Khan. “A lot of games like that, especially with how we had the lead, and we talked about it after the second period. There’s something to play for—to get to 40 wins was big for our team—and we didn’t do that. It’s kind of the story of this season.”
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Larkin’s candid comments reflected the emotional toll of another year ending in disappointment, especially as the team repeatedly failed to close out winnable games.
Nine seasons without playoff hockey in Detroit
This latest elimination extends Detroit’s playoff drought to nine consecutive seasons, marking the longest such stretch in franchise history. It also represents the first time the team has failed to improve its standing year-over-year since Steve Yzerman assumed the role of general manager.
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Despite the setback, there are reasons for cautious optimism heading into the 2025–26 season. The growth of young talent and the experience gained by core veterans like Larkin provide a foundation. However, if the Red Wings are to end their playoff drought and return to contention, the front office will need to make impactful offseason moves to bolster a roster that fell just short—again.
