The Detroit Red Wings have been a perennial powerhouse in the National Hockey League over the last fifteen years. The likes of Captain Stevie Yzerman, forward Brendan Shanahan, and head coach Scotty Bowman have been here and gone since then; the likes of Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, and head coach Mike Babcock are currently leading the current and future Red Wings franchise. The Red Wings have been a favorite to win the sport’s biggest prize- The Stanley Cup- since the early 90’s and have won four Stanley Cups (almost 5- courtesy of the Pittsburgh Penguins…..rrrrr….) in the last 12 seasons.
This year has been quite different. After being in the playoffs the last 18 straight seasons, Detroit is in danger of NOT making the playoffs. The Red Wings caught a bug- the injury bug- to the likes that has never been seen in the history of the franchise. At this time of the year, the Red Wings are usually fighting for playoff positioning to get a shot at the Stanley Cup; this year, they are fighting to the end just to get a chance to right for the Stanley Cup.
Eight teams make the playoffs from both the Western and Eastern conference. As of 3/21, The Red Wings, in the Western Conference, are currently in 8th place with 83 points with 11 games to go. Right below the Red Wings are the Calgary Flames- they have 81 points with 10 games to go. That leaves the Red Wings with a two point cushion- a one game lead- not very big. However, the Red Wings are gaining steam; they are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, including tying and winning their recent two games with 0.2 seconds to go- in regulation and in overtime. Detroit has 11 games left to get into the playoffs. Let’s hope that they keep up that momentum up and in stride- to make a run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s been four years since the Red Wings have not played into late May; it would be awfully weird watching just the Tigers and no hockey come the end of April.
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