The Detroit Red Wings took care of business on Thursday night. Dylan Larkin scored a hat-trick as the Red Wings easily defeated the Philadelphia Flyers by a score of 6-3. Detroit scored two crucial points; However, the organization did not receive much help outside the city.
The Ottawa Senators defeated the Florida Panthers, moving them three points above the Red Wings with three games remaining. Time is ticking for Detroit and it must hope for outside help. For now, an NHL team will have to focus on what it can control.
Detroit Red Wings must keep winning to stay in playoff contention
The plan moving forward is simple. The Red Wings will need to keep winning if they want to make the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. With three games left, the Red Wings need to lose two of their three remaining games to the Senators. Detroit must win at all costs, starting with the New Jersey Devils on Saturday evening.
Since Ottawa has the tiebreaker, it must have lost two games in regulation while Detroit has won all three games against the Devils, Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. It’s a relatively easy schedule for the Red Wings, with the key matchup coming against the Lightning on Monday, April 13.
The issue is within the senators. In the next three matches, the team will play the Devils, New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs. That means Ottawa would have to lose to either New York and New Jersey or Toronto. This isn’t a great situation for Detroit, so his focus may be on the Boston Bruins.
Although unlikely, if the Bruins lose their last three games in regulation, the Red Wings could overtake them if they win. Boston plays Tampa Bay, New Jersey and the Columbus Blue Jackets. If the Bruins lose all three games but lose one game in overtime, Detroit can still overtake them if it wins two more games in regulation.
More than likely, the Senators will remain a target for the Red Wings. The Bruins are possible, but it would lead to a major collapse. Granted, Boston has lost its last four games, so there is something to be expected. However, it could all be over if the Red Wings don’t win.
If Detroit loses to New Jersey on Saturday while Ottawa beats New York, it could be out of playoff contention. In other words, every game moving forward is a must-win situation for the Red Wings. The team has a favorable schedule, so if it takes care of business against the Devils and Panthers, the Lightning will be a big challenge.
The Red Wings just have to keep winning. At this point, there is no margin for error.
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