When the puck dropped on the 2024-25 season, Red Wings fans were expecting, and almost demanding, for this to finally be the year to see Detroit back in the playoffs. But instead of thinking about competing for the Stanley Cup again, fans have been left disappointed by a sluggish start and a losing record.
However, it’s now possible after a recent offensive explosion, including scoring six goals in a 6-4 win over the Flyers on Wednesday night, signals Detroit still has life and there’s hope for this season yet.
Detroit’s win over Philadelphia was fueled by its stars, too. Patrick Kane and Lucas Raymond both recorded a goal and an assist each and Dylan Larkin added two points off a pair of helpers.
But even after the win, the Red Wings only own a 13-14-4 record, which is just good enough for sixth in the Atlantic Division. But to Detroit’s credit, it has now won three out of its last four games. The Red Wings have also tallied six, four and six goals in those three wins.
Of course, the issue is this current hot steak followed a five-game losing skid that dates back to the end of November.
A major part of why the Red Wings were struggling so much is they weren’t getting enough from players they relied on during their late-season surge last year that resulted in falling just shy of making the playoffs and not being eliminated until their final game of the season.
Kane, in particular, only has four goals and 13 points so far this season. In fact, the last time Kane scored a goal before Wednesday night was on Nov. 13 in Pittsburgh.
And while it might be unreasonable to rely too heavily on a a 36-year-old player, even one as accomplished as Kane, he did net 20 goals and register 47 points in 50 games after signing with Detroit last season.
To fully paint the picture of what Detroit has received from its top players, Larkin, its captain, has 12 goals, granted he hasn’t sent one by a goalie since Nov. 21.
So not only has Detroit been winning lately, but it’s getting necessary production from its top players. And while crawling out of this hole won’t be easy, it can be possible if the Red Wings can keep getting production from their star players.
Up next, Detroit has back-to-back games with Montreal before facing the Blues, Maple Leafs, Capitals and Penguins, a string of teams the Red Wings need to start knocking off as they hope to climb up the standings and into playoff positioning for the stretch run in the spring.
