![]() ![]() Sure, their power play is clicking and the penalty kill is the best it’s been in some time, but you’re not going to win many playoff games when the ice is tilted against you at even strength. Related: Diagnosing Alex Nedeljkovic’s 2022-23 Strugglesįinally, Detroit’s five-on-five numbers leave much to be desired. If Detroit slumps one week and two of these teams catch fire, the Red Wings will quickly find themselves on the outside looking in. They are in danger of being among the 25 percent of teams that hold a playoff spot on Thanksgiving, but fail to reach the postseason in the spring.Īs it currently stands, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, and Washington Capitals all trail the Red Wings by just a few points. ![]() Verdict: Playoff Contenders or PretendersĪt the moment, the Red Wings are pretenders. Actually, let me rephrase that – if Detroit wants to even reach the playoffs, they need to improve their five-on-five play. Simply put, the Red Wings are not good enough at five on five to be dangerous come playoff time. In other words, Detroit’s five-on-five metrics are worse than eight normally non-playoff teams. ( Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)įurther, the playoff teams noted above include the eight additional franchises who took part in the qualifying round of the 2020 COVID-19 bubble postseason. Despite Filip Hronek’s best efforts, the Red Wings still need to improve their five-on-five play. ![]()
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