“I hope that’s not the one, and I hope the Minnesota one is not the one that’s the final nail in the coffin. That’s a letdown, in tough fashion again,” Larkin admitted after the defeat against the Blue Jackets, via 97.1 The Ticket. The 5-4 loss against the Wild was also extremely disheartening, and even though Patrick Kane owned up to his costly mistake, it still stings in Motor City.

Regardless, the Red Wings had an unsurpassable chance to turn the page and get back in the winning column against the Blue J’s. Detroit and Columbus entered the game tied in points (88) and games played (78) in the NHL campaign. Both sides knew what was on the line during the game at Little Caesars Arena, but only one could walk away triumphant. In the end, those were the Blue Jackets, who snapped their six-game losing streak

Soul-crushing ending in Detroit

With 18 seconds left in the game, it felt like the home team would finally snap its four-game losing streak on home ice. Unfortunately for the Red Wings, a lot can happen in one second. For instance, their playoff hopes came crashing down to pieces in the blink of an eye.

The Blue Jackets took home the extra point in the shootout—the Blue Jackets tied the game with an extra skater with 17 seconds left in regulation—and that may be the difference-maker that prevails until the end of the 2025–26 NHL regular season.

Red Wings are in trouble

The Red Wings no longer have a margin for error. Even more dramatically, even if they win from here on out, the odds are stacked against them to make the postseason. Essentially, Detroit is now praying on Columbus and Ottawa’s downfall.

The Blue Jackets will take on three playoff sides in their last four games, making the Red Wings’ path easier to envision. However, the Sens (currently sitting in WC2) have no playoff teams scheduled in their last four outings. Even if Ottawa stumbles and falls out of a playoff spot, Detroit must take care of its business, and that’s something that is far from guaranteed.

The Red Wings are 3-6-1 in their last 10, have lost five of their last six, and are winless at Little Caesars Arena (where they will play their next two) since March 19. Moreover, Detroit will close out the season in Florida with bouts against the Lightning and Panthers, two teams it hasn’t beaten on the road this season.

As McLellan blamed Kane for the costly loss in Detroit, Kane knew he couldn’t turn a blind eye or act as if nothing had happened. Now, the American star has bitten the bullet, admitting his responsibility for the mistake that could put the Red Wings out of contention for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“Maybe the worst I felt personally in my career. A lapse in judgement for sure,” Kane commented on his mistake against the Wild, via Detroit Free Press. “Obviously, didn’t mean to do that or take a penalty at that point in the game. Nonetheless, I take responsibility for what happened there.”

Red Wings must turn it around

Detroit has lost four of its last five games in the 2025–26 NHL season. Up next, the Red Wings will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets—the only team in the Eastern Conference playoff race with worse form than Detroit right now. As the Blue Jackets walk into Little Caesars Arena in the 313, they arrive mired in a six-game losing streak.

Still, the Red Wings can’t take them for granted. It’s not like they have looked much better in recent outings. Detroit has lost four straight at home. Its last victory in Motor City was on March 19 (3–1 vs. the Montreal Canadiens).

Playoff stakes at an all-time high

The Red Wings and Blue Jackets are tied in points (88) with the same number of games played (77), so their upcoming bout in Detroit will have all the ingredients of a playoff matchup. The winner could catch fire at the right time, while the loser may just go ahead and wave goodbye to the postseason.

The Red Wings must do everything in their power to avoid being on the wrong side of that equation. If they miss the playoffs for the 10th straight NHL season, fans in Michigan won’t take it lightly, and big changes may be on the horizon within the organization. In more ways than one, April 7’s game against Columbus has the feel of a win-or-go-home showdown.

Detroit’s last 5 games of 2025-26 NHL season

Prior to the 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Wild, which head coach Todd McLellan blamed Patrick Kane for, the Red Wings had a 37.3% chance of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs, according to MoneyPuck. However, the loss on home ice saw those odds cut by more than half. Now, MoneyPuck credits Detroit with a 15% chance of clinching a postseason berth.

For reference, the Columbus Blue Jackets—currently below the Red Wings in virtue of the regulation wins tiebreaker—have better odds of making the playoffs with a 24.2% probability, according to the site previously mentioned. Those odds could change dramatically as the Red Wings and Blue Jackets will face-off on April 7, in a game that could essentially end the other team’s NHL season and playoffs’ dream.

Detroit’s losing streak

The Red Wings have now dropped two in a row after falling to the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild in back-to-back matinees over the weekend. However, the team’s struggles go far beyond their last two outings. Detroit has lost four of its last five games, with all defeats coming in regulation.

Moreover, the Red Wings are 4-6-0 in their last 10 and have only won consecutive games once since the NHL resumed play after the Olympic break. While most teams caught fire after the hiatus, the Red Wings have struggled tremendously. They are 7-10-2 since Dylan Larkin returned from Italy with a gold medal around his neck.

Red Wings: Playoff race heats up

With the same number of games played and both teams out of contention for an Atlantic Division playoff spot, the Red Wings could essentially be in a battle with the Ottawa Senators for the last wild-card spot. Detroit faces Columbus next, so it could separate from the Blue Jackets, but it will likely need to win out and hope Ottawa drops a couple of games.

The Islanders are one point ahead of the Red Wings, but with one more game played, so Detroit could take the lead over them. In more ways than one, the Wings’ upcoming showdown against the Jackets is a playoff game. A win is paramount for Detroit to stop the bleeding and put the final nail in Columbus’ coffin, as the organization in Discovery City has lost six in a row.

It’s all set to go down to the wire in the East. There are 11 teams still mathematically in contention, and only five spots up for grabs—two of which are exclusive to the Metropolitan Division. Detroit is on shifting ground, and it could see its playoff drought extend to a decade and become the longest active in the NHL. If that happens, heads might roll in the 313.

“We’ll write our own story,” McLellan said, according to NHL.com. “There’s teams that are elevating right now and there’s teams that aren’t, and right now, we’re one of them that aren’t.” The coach acknowledged that the team’s drive and consistency have been lacking, leaving the Red Wings short in critical moments.

The Penguins, boosted by a goal and an assist from Egor Chinakhov, remain strong in the Metropolitan Division, winning three of their last four games. Detroit, meanwhile, has lost four of five, falling behind in the playoff race with just a handful of games remaining.

Red Wings’ struggles highlighted by early goals

Pittsburgh opened the scoring quickly, with Rickard Rakell netting his 20th goal of the season on the Penguins’ first shot. Anthony Mantha followed with his 30th goal of the year, and Chinakhov added a third before the end of the first period. Detroit’s John Gibson was pulled for the second straight game after allowing three goals on 14 shots, with Cam Talbot finishing in relief.

Detroit’s competitive lapses are part of a broader trend this season, with the team missing the playoffs for nine straight years. McLellan noted, “Some of it’s technique and skill too. But the will and the drive is something we could use a little bit more of right now.”

Silver linings amid defeat

Despite the loss, Dylan Larkin scored his 30th goal of the season, continuing a streak of five consecutive 30-goal seasons. Meanwhile, the Penguins adjusted without injured Bryan Rust, and Evgeni Malkin returned with an assist and five shots on goal.

With the Red Wings’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread, McLellan and his team must elevate both effort and execution if they hope to challenge the Eastern Conference wild-card spots in the final games of the season.

While the legendary center has missed the last four contests due to an undisclosed upper-body injury, there is a glimmer of hope for the PPG Paints Arena crowd. He returned to practice in a full-contact capacity earlier this week.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for this Tuesday night showdown. As the 2025-26 NHL regular season winds down, the Penguins find themselves in a heated battle for positioning within the Metropolitan Division.

What happened to Evgeni Malkin?

Evgeni Malkin is currently sidelined with an undisclosed upper-body injury sustained during the Pittsburgh Penguins’ matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on March 22.

While the team has been tight-lipped about the exact nature of the ailment, head coach Dan Muse clarified that this is a new issue and not a recurrence of the shoulder injury that cost “Geno” significant time earlier this winter.

The injury occurred during a physical sequence late in the game, and though he initially attempted to play through the discomfort, he was moved to “day-to-day” status shortly after.

The veteran center had been in vintage form prior to the setback, serving as the engine for the second line and providing the secondary scoring the Penguins desperately need for their playoff push.

How many games has Evgeni Malkin missed?

Evgeni Malkin has missed the last four consecutive games since being scratched from the lineup on March 24. His absence has forced the team to shuffle their middle-six forward group, relying on younger talent and tactical adjustments to fill the void left by one of the most productive players in franchise history.

This latest stint on the injured list adds to a turbulent 2025-26 season for the Russian superstar. Earlier in the campaign, “Geno” missed 15 games due to a separate upper-body injury and sat out an additional five games due to an NHL suspension following a high-sticking incident.

Despite these interruptions, he has remained a point-per-game player when healthy, making his current absence even more glaring as the team fights for a wild-card spot.

When could Evgeni Malkin return?

Evgeni Malkin could return as early as tonight, March 31, against the Detroit Red Wings, though he remains a game-time decision. The most encouraging sign for Penguins fans was his participation in a full-contact practice this past Sunday.

Typically, when a player of his caliber sheds the non-contact jersey and rejoins the main group for drills, a return to game action follows within 48 to 72 hours.

The coaching staff opted to keep him out of Monday’s blowout win against the Islanders to ensure he was 100% ready for the “back-to-back” scenario. If he doesn’t suit up tonight at PPG Paints Arena, his next opportunity will come on Thursday, April 2, when the team travels to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Yesterday, the legend was key as the Penguins defeated the New York Islanders 8-3 in a pivotal game within the Metropolitan Division. Despite having little recovery time, he looked to be in very good form.

Now, the challenge will once again be very difficult at home against another team like Detroit that is involved in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. A victory would give Pittsburgh some margin heading into the end of the season.

NHL standings for the Pittsburgh Penguins

After the win against the Islanders, the Pittsburgh Penguins regained second place in the Metropolitan Division with 90 points and hold a one-point lead over New York and a two-point lead over Columbus. In the wild card race, they have also gained breathing room with a four-point advantage over the Senators.

How can the Penguins make the NHL playoffs?

The Penguins control their destiny to make the playoffs and, considering the remaining schedule for the teams involved, five wins in the last eight games of the calendar seems to be the ideal formula to clinch a spot without trouble. Even with four victories, the probabilities are very high.

“We’re not getting tricked by the three goals at the end of the night,” McLellan admitted after the game, via NHL.com. “This was a disappointing response.”

The 5–3 score may tell one story, but the game’s flow tells a whole different one. Detroit was held scoreless and down 4–0 until there were fewer than seven minutes left in the game. A late surge put the Red Wings back in it, but it wasn’t enough, and they are now losing ground in a playoff race that is not for the faint of heart.

Concerning stretch for Red Wings

The Red Wings are coming up short in the biggest moment of the 2025-26 NHL season. With less than 10 games left on the schedule, Detroit is currently out of the playoff picture. Missing the postseason for a 10th straight year could put many important names in Motor City on the hot seat, and lead to big changes in the offseason.

The Red Wings are engaged in a dogfight for a playoff spot out of the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, the Red Wings aren’t in a hot streak like the rest of their competitors. Out of every team in the mix, Detroit has the worst record in its last 10 outings (4-5-1).

Silver lining for Wings

If there’s a bright side to their last nine games, though, it is the fact that the Red Wings face an easier slate—in terms of strength of schedule—than their counterparts. Detroit has the 14th-hardest remaining strength of schedule in the NHL, but most of the teams in the Eastern playoff race face even tougher paths.

For example, the Islanders, Blue Jackets, Bruins, Flyers, and Senators are all in the top 10 for toughest remaining schedules. The league has entered the home stretch of a heated race, and the East features a nine-team battle for five spots.

“It was a great start. I think we were really focused on the start tonight, and that obviously put us in a great position. Second period wasn’t great, obviously, but we held down the fort. ‘Gibby’ made some huge saves. He was unbelievable for us tonight… Big team win,” Kane said after the game, according to NHL.com.

Detroit’s victory moved them one point behind the New York Islanders, who have played one more game, for the second Eastern wild card. Buffalo, meanwhile, has lost three straight games for the first time since December and remains two points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Red Wings capitalize on early goals to set pace

Detroit struck early with two power-play goals in the first period. DeBrincat opened the scoring at 4:02, chipping a shot over Lyon’s pad after Seider set him up from the point. Lucas Raymond made it 2-0 at 9:11, finishing a wrist shot after a pass from Seider. Marco Kasper extended the lead to 3-0 later in the period.

Despite a stronger second period for Buffalo, including a goal by Tage Thompson, Detroit limited the damage and maintained control. The Red Wings’ disciplined approach and focus on strong starts proved crucial in keeping the Sabres at bay.

Strong start and team focus propel Red Wings

Detroit’s early goals and disciplined play set the tone for the game, helping them stay in control despite Buffalo’s late push. Capitalizing on power-play chances and limiting mistakes in critical moments demonstrated the team’s resilience.

Coach Todd McLellan praised his team’s approach, saying, “The opposition always has a say in the game. We’ll control as many variables as we can and try to get off to a good start again.” The win shows how Detroit’s focus on strong starts and teamwork can be a difference-maker as the playoffs approach.

Postava has been strong in the AHL this season, posting a 13-6 record with a 1.86 goals-against average in 21 games. He has allowed 16 goals over his last eight appearances and currently holds a .932 save percentage.

The Red Wings signed Postava as a UFA last summer after he helped Brno Kometa win the Czechia league championship, where he posted a .920 save percentage last season.

Emergency goaltending plans for Detroit

While Sebastian Cossa is Detroit’s higher-ranked prospect, Postava has been sharper recently. The Red Wings face a road game against the Buffalo Sabres Friday and a home matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday.

The emergency call-up ensures the team has a qualified backup should any issues arise with the starting goaltender. These roster moves emphasize the importance of organizational depth as both teams navigate key games late in the season.

“We were a little bit sluggish for whatever reason,” Todd McLellan commented after the Red Wings lost 3-2 to the Senators, via NHL.com.

Detroit outshot Ottawa 35-21, but was inefficient and paid the price for it. After this defeat, and considering they were coming off a loss to the Boston Bruins, the Red Wings have now dropped consecutive outings against direct opponents in the race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the 2025-26 NHL season. McLellan is well aware the Red Wings are now standing on thin ice, and something must change.

Where Red Wings stand in playoff race

Detroit is currently on the outside looking in. The Red Wings sit in sixth place in the Atlantic Division and are one point behind the Senators—the last wild-card berth at the moment. A win over the Sens would’ve put the Red Wings in a playoff spot while giving them a three-point lead over their divisional counterparts.

While deflating, this defeat is far from season-ending for Detroit, but it does complicate things more than they needed to be in Motor City. The Red Wings have missed the playoffs in each of their last nine seasons, and they are now facing a very real possibility of missing the postseason for a 10th straight year.

With the Buffalo Sabres sitting in first place in the Atlantic Division, the Red Wings could go on to have the longest active playoff drought in the NHL. Perhaps not even the “Yzerplan” rebuild and McLellan’s arrival will help change the tune in Detroit, as fans in the 313 have been treated to the same old heartbreaking Red Wings for a decade now.

Alex DeBrincat shined for Detroit, scoring the go-ahead goal late in the third period and adding two assists. J.T. Compher and Andrew Copp also scored to keep the Red Wings tied with Montreal in points for third place in the Atlantic Division and level with the Boston Bruins for the Eastern Conference wild-card spots.

This was DeBrincat’s second straight three-point game, and his line with Compher and Patrick Kane has become Detroit’s primary scoring force since Dylan Larkin’s lower-body injury on March 6. Copp returned after missing three games and added an empty-net goal to seal the win.

DeBrincat leads Red Wings’ scoring line

DeBrincat’s five-game point streak, with nine points (one goal, eight assists), highlights his importance to Detroit’s playoff push. “(Compher) has been great since (Larkin) and (Copp) went out. He was filling in on Larkin’s line and now he’s playing with us and he’s been really good. Now we’ve got (Copp) back as well,” DeBrincat said.

Red Wings stay in playoff contention

The win keeps Detroit in a strong position for the postseason, tied in points with Montreal and the Bruins for the Eastern Conference wild-card spots. John Gibson’s 32 saves and the top line’s consistency reflect the competitive identity Todd McLellan expects from his team, showing Detroit can contend even without Larkin in the lineup.