Detroit Red Wings Keep Tight Watch on Playoff Race as Regular Season Nears End
DETROIT — The race for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot has been a rollercoaster ride, with standings shifting dramatically in just a matter of days.
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Following a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, the Detroit Red Wings became the fifth team in the past five days to hold the East’s final wild-card spot. This succession includes the Washington Capitals (April 3), New York Islanders (April 4), Philadelphia Flyers (April 5), and Pittsburgh Penguins (April 6).
“We closely monitor the standings and our position throughout the season,” remarked Joe Veleno following Monday’s optional practice. “Our goal is to play competitive hockey and secure a spot in the playoffs.”
As of Monday, Detroit (84 points) holds a narrow one-point lead over the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Philadelphia Flyers, all tied at 83 points each and currently out of playoff contention.
Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde emphasized that while scoreboard watching is inevitable at this stage, the team’s focus remains on their own performance.
“It’s the reality of the situation, but ultimately, we must take care of our own business,” Lalonde stated. “We’ve seen hot streaks from teams like Pittsburgh and Washington. Lately, we’ve been taking care of our own games and find ourselves in a playoff position. While we may hope for specific outcomes in other games, our primary focus is on our performance.”
Veleno expressed his intention to keep a close eye on Monday night’s game between Pittsburgh and the Toronto Maple Leafs, acknowledging that a regulation win by the Penguins would push them ahead of the Red Wings in the standings.
“We prefer that the teams behind us don’t gain points, but ultimately, we can’t control their results,” Veleno admitted. “I’ll be watching the game tonight, and naturally, I don’t want Pittsburgh to win.”
The Red Wings have two crucial games ahead against playoff-contending teams in the Eastern Conference. They will face off against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday before visiting the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Simon Edvinsson stressed the importance of minimizing errors during these high-pressure moments.
“Every play and every minute matter in these games,” Edvinsson emphasized. “Our team’s overall performance has improved, and if we continue on this trajectory, we have a strong chance of reaching the playoffs.”
Coach Lalonde commended the team’s resilience and focus during this playoff push and expects them to maintain their intensity in the remaining games.
“This group has shown tremendous determination and focus,” Lalonde praised. “I’m confident they’ll continue to compete at a high level and show up ready to play in the upcoming games.”
