Red Wings Surge Puts Them in Playoff Position

Good morning and happy Friday, February 24th.

Congrats to the 27% of yesterday's poll participants who correctly predicted Tage Thompson would record the most points last night. Thompson's hat trick gave him more points than Jack Hughes (1), Kirill Kaprizov (1), and Vladimir Tarasenko (0) combined last night.

The Detroit Red Wings haven’t participated in the NHL postseason since 2016 and this morning they are sitting in the last wild card position in the Eastern Conference.

"We’re over the cut line right now – I think that’s what it means to us," center Andrew Copp said. “We’re understanding how to play the game."

The surprising Red Wings continued their impressive surge Thursday when they knocked off the New York Rangers 4-1 on the strength of three points from Copp and two from linemate Michael Rasmussen.

The Red Wings (28-21-8) and Florida Panthers (29-25-6) have 64 points each, but Detroit owns the playoff spot based on a .561 points percentage. The Panthers are at .533. The Red Wings have three games in hand against Florida. The Red Wings and Panthers are three points behind the New York Islanders who have the first wild card spot.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a point behind Detroit and Florida, and Buffalo is two.

The Red Wings have won seven out of eight, and nine of their last 12 by being committed at both ends of the ice. Over the last 12 games, they have given up two or fewer goals seven times and scored four or more six times. They netted 30 goals over the past seven games.

"We’re committed to playing the type of game that we need to play," Copp said. "We’re not gonna be first in goals in the league. That’s just the fact of the matter. We really gotta concentrate on when we’re in the D zone, we’re quick to close, we’re in the right spots. Understanding who’s behind you...”

The Red Wings are a team that knows how to play shutdown defense. The Red Wings are 19-0-2 this season when leading after two periods, and a perfect 9-0-0 when doing so on home ice.

🔁 The Boston Bruins load up, acquire Orlov & Hathaway from Capitals. As if the Bruins haven't been terrorizing the league enough this season, they just added NHL veterans Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway, sending Craig Smith, a 2023 1st round pick, a 2025 2nd round pick, and a 2024 3rd round pick to the Washington Capitals. And the Minnesota Wild got in on the action, acquiring a 2023 5th round pick from Boston for retaining 25% of Orlov's contract with Washington already retaining 50%. Therefore, Orlov's cap hit to the Bruins is only $1.275M.

🛢 Edmonton Oilers embarrass Pittsburgh Penguins 7-2 for 4th straight loss. Connor McDavid scored twice, including a penalty shot, and added two assists as he continues to lead the entire league in goals (46), assists (63), and points (109). Leon Draisaitl added a goal and an assist, extending his goal streak to a career-high six games while Stuart Skinner collected 22 saves. The Oilers have earned points in five straight games whereas the Pittsburgh Penguins have lost four straight and hold a 3-6-1 record in their past ten.

Who has scored the most penalty shot goals in NHL history?

• Pettersson's OT goal lifts Canucks to win over Blues

• DeBrusk scores late, Bruins defeat Kraken for 5th straight victory

• Golden Knights rally in third, slip past Flames

• Mercer, Devils rally for OT victory against Kings

• Ducks hand Capitals sixth straight loss, sour Ovechkin's return

• Ovechkin opens up about his father's death in latest interview

• Coyotes' Chychrun will be scratched until March 3 trade deadline

• The Montreal Canadiens claim Chris Tierney off waivers

• Predators' Ryan Johansen out for regular season after surgery

• Bedard's cousin is also a generational talent, likely drafted 1st overall in 2026

• 🎩 Tage Thompson continues torrid scoring pace with 4th hatty of the year

• 📐 McDavid goes "name tag and in" from absurd angle

• 🚨 Anze Kopitar goes five-hole on the breakaway for 20th goal of the season

• 🎯 Lyubushkin picks a pocket, picks a corner, wins the game

• 🍫 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goes bar and in for 600th career point

• 🥊 Tom Wilson & Simon Benoit drop the gloves

• Kraken coach Dave Hakstol’s scheme and philosophies: the penalty kill

• Great drill to work on soft controlled touches and change of direction

• 4 exercises to help improve hip mobility

Pavel Bure has scored 7 penalty shot goals, the most in NHL history