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New York Times
30-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
NHL playoff picks, odds, how to watch info for Wednesday as Capitals, Panthers go for series wins
The Stanley Cup Playoffs continue on Wednesday with the Montreal Canadiens at the Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning and St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets. The Capitals are up 3-1 on the Canadiens and are at -2500 to win the series, with the most lopsided series odds of the day. Advertisement The Panthers also have a 3-1 series lead, and they are second only to the Carolina Hurricanes (+450) to win the Cup at +500. The Blues and Jets sit at 2-2, but the Jets are favorites (-185) to advance. They're also one of only five teams with better than 10-to-1 odds to win the whole thing, though just barely at +950. Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub. Capitals lead series 3-1 Series odds: Capitals -2500, Canadiens +1100 The Montreal Canadiens head back to Washington on the brink of elimination in what's turned into one of the wildest series so far. The Canadiens lost goaltender Sam Montembeault in Game 3 to injury, relying now on 23-year-old Jakub Dobeš. Defender Alexandre Carrier is listed as day-to-day following a crushing hit by Tom Wilson, who's been a deciding factor in this series alongside No. 1 center Dylan Strome, who scored the game-winning goal in Sunday's 5-2 win before a loud Montreal crowd. Can the underdogs climb back? Among the positives for Montreal is that rookie Ivan Demidov played well and got on the scoresheet in Game 4 with two assists. Panthers lead series 3-1 Series odds: Panthers -1000, Lightning +650 The Battle of Florida heads back to Amalie Arena with the Tampa Bay Lightning's season on the line at the hands of the Florida Panthers. And what a battle it's been between the state rivals, as Shayna Goldman points out, following a spicy Game 4 that saw Aaron Ekblad take Brandon Hagel out with a forearm to the head and Niko Mikkola fined $5,000 for boarding Zemgus Girgensons. The Panthers have looked the part of the reigning Stanley Cup champions, outplaying Andrei Vasilevskiy and Nikita Kucherov, whose playoff goal drought continues to stretch. Advertisement Series is tied 2-2 Series odds: Jets -185, Blues +150 The Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues head back to Canada Life Centre with their series tied 2-2. The Jets got off to a 2-0 lead, but back-to-back routs at the hands of the Blues have put the Presidents' Trophy winners behind the eight-ball. Jeremy Rutherford explored whether the Blues have benefited from the longer breaks between games, while Murat Ates discussed six players who need to step up for Winnipeg to regain control of the series. Spoiler: Goalie Connor Hellebuyck is first on the list. For the second year in a row, the league's top regular-season goalie on the league's top regular-season team is playing to poor results in the postseason. 'I am going to be better. I've studied goaltending extremely hard. I've probably studied the most out of anyone in this world, so I know what to do and how to get my best game,' Hellebuyck said after the Jets' 5-1 loss on Sunday. Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo by Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Round 1 heats up as NHL playoff chaos unfolds: Rivalries ignite and underdogs refuse to fall
NHL playoffs (via Getty Images) With parity as high as it has been and no team knocked out after 10 days of games, the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have provided chaos, comebacks, and a little controversy. All Western Conference series are going to at least Game 6, and the East still has dramatic storylines of its own. As squads fight for their playoff lives, here's how each series looks like. EASTERN CONFERENCE Capitals (1) vs. Canadiens (8): Can the Montreal Canadiens' young spark weather the storm? The NHL Playoffs Are Getting Out of Hand Montreal Canadiens' playoff push has been powered by brash youth and underdog spirit, but injuries might have caught up with them at last. With starting goalie Sam Montembeault out and top blueliner Alexandre Carrier likely out, the Habs are thin. Young netminder Jakub Dobeš has filled in admirably, but upsetting a veteran Washington team three consecutive times is perhaps too tall an order. Yet this season might be the start of something magical in Montreal. Toronto Maple Leafs (2) vs. Ottawa Senators (6): Is this finally a new Leafs team—or the same old story? The Toronto Maple Leafs lead the series 3-1, but doubt remains. Historical collapses haunt the imaginations of fans and reporters alike. The Ottawa Senators have taken three of four games into overtime and demonstrated great structure. Toronto's revamped lineup—with seasoned grit and Craig Berube's defense-first system—has altered the atmosphere, though. Taking Game 5 on home ice would help to change the dynamic and alleviate anxiety. Florida Panthers (5) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (3): Can Tampa Bay Lightning's scoring juggernaut get revved up in time? The league's top-scoring team has inexplicably gone cold. The Lightning power play is sputtering, their stars are silenced, and they've been pulled into a war of attrition with Florida. Brandon Hagel's injury just makes things worse. The Florida Panthers, meanwhile, are flourishing in the mess on the strength of a suffocating defense and reliable Sergei Bobrovsky. If Tampa can't find its offense again, this series could be over in a hurry. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Carolina Hurricanes (4) vs. New Jersey Devils (7): Will goaltending instability stop Carolina's Cup bid? With the New Jersey Devils devoid of some of their biggest contributors—Jack Hughes and a few of their core defensemen—the series has swung in Carolina Hurricanes' direction. But an accidental Game 4 collision that eliminated Freddie Andersen has brought on a huge worry. Pyotr Kochetkov impressed in relief, but can he do it if Andersen is sidelined for an extended period? Carolina's deep, speedy roster appears constructed for a push—if the crease is stable. WESTERN CONFERENCE Blues (8) vs. Jets (1): Where is Connor Hellebuyck? Winnipeg's Vezina-quality goalie has been invisible in the playoffs, with an eye-popping sub-..820 save percentage. After back-to-back blowouts, Presidents' Trophy winners are in genuine danger. The hot Blues since the 4 Nations break are taking advantage of every mistake. Winnipeg could be due for a first-round collapse if Hellebuyck doesn't get back to regular-season form in a hurry. Golden Knights (2) vs. Minnesota Wild (7): Are the Wild actually underdogs—or simply finally healthy? At full health, Minnesota Wild doesn't resemble a No. 7 seed. Kirill Kaprizov has been dynamite, the blue line is stabilized, and Filip Gustavsson is winning the goalie duel. Vegas is deep and experienced, but they've not been able to gain separation. If the Wild were being underrated because of midseason injury, we might be seeing the resurgence of a legit threat out West. Dallas Stars (3) vs. Colorado Avalanche (5): Will Miro Heiskanen's return be the deciding factor? This series has been the epitome of a heavyweight slugfest, with each club trading strong efforts. With the potential return of star D-man Miro Heiskanen from injury, the Dallas Stars could find that edge it seeks. Thomas Harley has shouldered the load amazingly well, but a healthy Heiskanen might flip the puck possession switch back in favor of the Stars and offer that little bit more to close out the Colorado Avalanche. Los Angeles Kings (4) vs. Edmonton Oilers (6): Can L.A. silence the unstoppable three? When McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard are on the ice, Ed virtually unstoppable. But the rest of the group have been much more vulnerable. Los Angeles Kings have possessed portions of play, particularly when the Edmonton Oilers' big three are off the ice, and their goaltending has stood up. The challenge will be getting through those grueling minutes when Edmonton's superstar trio takes over—and praying for breakdowns somewhere else. Also read: NHL playoff controversy: Brandon Hagel injury raises questions about league's double standards Final Stretch: Hold On to Your Hats for Game 7 Havoc With several series going at least six games and a complete schedule of potential Game 7s this weekend, NHL fans are in store for a rollercoaster ride. Some favorites appear tenuous, underdogs are riding high, and injury worries are growing. Whatever the outcome, the first round of the 2025 playoffs has already provided one of the most intriguing opening acts in years.
New York Times
29-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Mirtle: The NHL playoffs and identifying one burning question for every series
Tuesday marks Day 11 of the NHL playoffs, and thanks to the Ottawa Senators' dramatic overtime win in Game 4 on the weekend, all 16 teams are still alive. Not only that, but every Western Conference series is guaranteed to go to at least six games, which almost ensures we're likely to get extra Round 1 drama through the weekend. Advertisement There are eight Game 7s scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, so don't make any big plans with the in-laws. My guess is that, with the level of parity in this year's postseason at one of its highest points ever, we end up getting at least three or four series that go the distance. With every series now past the four-game mark and seven massive Game 5s coming on Tuesday and Wednesday, I thought it would be a fitting time to take a spin around the NHL and highlight some of the biggest talking points. Let's start in the East. (1) Capitals lead (8) Canadiens 3-1 I get the sense that the young upstarts in Montreal are many hockey fans' favorite bandwagon club this year. I've received a ton of text messages from family and friends lauding the play of their kids up against a veteran-laden contender through four games. But losing Sam Montembeault — who quietly had an outstanding season with the third-best goals saved above expected in the league — to injury in Game 3 felt like a bit of a death blow to their chances of an upset, even if Czech rookie Jakub Dobes was one of their feel-good stories this season. Expecting the 23-year-old to carry them to three straight W's against the East's top team seems unlikely. And if shutdown defender Alexandre Carrier is knocked out for any length of time by this crushing Tom Wilson hit from Game 4, that's going to be almost impossible to compensate for, given how many tough minutes he plays at even strength and on PK1. Full credit to Washington for not taking its opponent lightly, as this one has been a battle so far. But you might want to tune in for the next game, given how exciting this series has been and the fact the odds are piling up against one of hockey's best stories of the season. Advertisement No matter how it turns out, this feels like just the beginning for this Canadiens team. (2) Maple Leafs lead (6) Senators 3-1 In no other market in the NHL would a team that took a 3-0 lead in a series, losing Game 4, be talked about like it is right now in Toronto. But that's the issue when the Maple Leafs have blown so many series over the past 12 years, losing elimination games again and again with this core group of players. It's not quite that there's panic, not after one loss. But there's the anticipation that panic is not all that far away, if that makes sense. The Leafs certainly look like a different team than years past, with a new coach in Craig Berube, a revamped no-nonsense style of play, and the addition of hardened veterans such as Chris Tanev, Brandon Carlo, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Scott Laughton. Toronto finished with the league's fourth-best record on the strength of great goaltending, a dominant power play and blocking a metric ton of shots, strengths that have certainly powered them so far in this series. But you have to give Ottawa credit, too. Despite their inexperience, the Senators have earned full underdog value in pushing the last three games to overtime. Defenseman Jake Sanderson is looking like a budding star, for one, and their checkers have managed to limit Toronto to seven even-strength goals after a terrible showing in Game 1. The Leafs have both the experience and talent advantage here, so they should be able to put this team away with three more chances to do so. Until they do, however, the narrative is only going to grow that they can't get it done when it counts. Winning Game 5 on Tuesday at home would quiet a lot of doubters. (Until Round 2 anyway.) (5) Panthers lead (3) Lightning 3-1 The Lightning were the highest-scoring team in the NHL this season, with 3.56 goals per game and a 26 percent power play, carried by the fact they had four 35-plus goal scorers. Advertisement After dropping Monday's Game 4 by a score of 4-2 — allowing three goals unanswered late in the third period — Tampa has scored just nine times all postseason. The man advantage has been a big part of the problem, converting just once on 15 opportunities, but Florida's stifling defensive game has come through at even strength, too, and 36-year-old Sergei Bobrovsky has outplayed Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal. The biggest storyline in the series, however, has been all of the ugly hits and bad blood between the two state rivals. Game 4 featured yet another one when Aaron Ekblad took out Brandon Hagel with a forearm to the face. With Hagel not able to return to the game, that made offense even harder to come by for what's been a surprisingly punchless Tampa team. There very well could be another suspension coming in this series, either for Ekblad's hit, one by Niko Mikkola later in the game that led to an ejection, or perhaps even both. Their possible absences — and potentially Hagel's — loom large for Game 5. The Panthers have always been a brutal team to play in the postseason, earning the nickname 'The Butchers' for good reason, but the trade deadline addition of Seth Jones has made them even more formidable on the back end. He's leading the team with more than 25 minutes played per game and hasn't been on the ice for a single five-on-five goal against all series. With Matthew Tkachuk limited by injury (and playing sparingly in this series) and Ekblad missing 20 games due to suspension (including the first two of this series), many were picking against a third consecutive long playoff run for the defending champs. So far, however, they look like contenders, yet again. (4) Hurricanes lead (7) Devils 3-1 The Devils are dealing with a lot of tough injuries here — including Jack Hughes and now three key defensemen — and those absences are one key reason the Hurricanes appear set to breeze through this series fairly quickly. Advertisement Carolina's just a lot deeper than New Jersey, and that's exacerbated by who's missing from the lineup. Jaccob Slavin's one-man effort goal in Game 4 is a good example of how poorly that series has been going for New Jersey, which has been outscored 14-7. Jaccob Slavin – Carolina Hurricanes (1)* — NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) April 27, 2025 Timo Meier's controversial goal-mouth collision with Canes netminder Freddie Andersen in Game 4, however, has cast a new light on the series. Carolina's biggest weakness and question mark coming into the playoffs was going to be its goalies, given Andersen's age and health issues, and Pyotr Kochetkov's consistency problems. Kochetkov played well in relief in Game 4, and he's had stretches of strong play in the past. But assuming they're able to get past the Devils, Carolina potentially not having Andersen is going to be a massive question mark for Round 2 (and beyond) for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. (1) Jets tied with (8) Blues 2-2 The Hart Trophy nominations will be released on Thursday, and Jets netminder Hellebuyck is almost certainly going to be there. He very well could end up being only the second goalie to be named league MVP in the last 23 years. But his struggles in the postseason have become not only the story of this series but of the NHL playoffs as a whole. Hellebuyck has an impossibly low .817 save percentage after getting chased in back-to-back games and has allowed a league-high seven goals more than expected in only four games. His play this season was the No. 1 reason the Jets won the Presidents' Trophy and entered the postseason as one of the favorites to win it all. If he can't find his form, a Blues team that was the hottest club in the NHL after the 4 Nations break is going to pull off a huge upset. Advertisement The Blues were the league's best offensive team down the stretch — scoring a ridiculous 3.8 goals per game with a nearly 30 percent success rate on the power play over the final third of the season — so this isn't completely out of nowhere. But Winnipeg leads the NHL in limiting scoring chances and high-danger chances against and just needs a few more saves to get back on track. (2) Golden Knights tied with (7) Wild 2-2 Given the way the Wild limped into the postseason, going 18-18-3 in the second half of the year, it's understandable that few picked them to win in Round 1 against a Golden Knights team that finished with 110 points. But Minnesota was decimated by injuries in the second half, missing team MVP Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin for the majority of those second-half games, a huge part of why their record fell off the way it did. At midseason, the Wild were actually on pace for 111 points, right there with Vegas, and it's that team that appears to have shown up in this series. Kaprizov has been a buzz saw, putting up four goals and eight points in 23 minutes a night through four games. And Matt Boldy continues to emerge as one of the league's top young stars, after a similarly impressive showing at the 4 Nations for Team USA. Vegas has carried the balance of play in the series at five-on-five, thanks to a deeper cast of forwards, but if Filip Gustavsson continues to outplay Adin Hill to this extent, Minnesota has a great shot at pulling off the upset. But I'm not sure that with the Wild finally healthy, it should even count as one. The West is certainly as competitive as it's ever been this year, one through eight. (3) Stars lead (5) Avalanche 3-2 This series has been about as evenly matched as could be, with the two teams trading punches and counterpunches game to game. One night might be a defensive battle (Game 3) or an offensive explosion from one team (Avs in Game 4). The next might be a bit of fireworks from the other (Stars in Game 5). Advertisement It's been so back and forth that any additional edge either team could get in games 6 and 7 could be huge, and it just so happens the Stars might have their franchise defenseman getting healthy just in time to help late in the series. Heiskanen has been skating and traveling with the team in the playoffs, indicating that his three-month recovery from knee surgery may be about over. Thomas Harley has been terrific in logging nearly 30 minutes a game on the back end to lead all NHL players in the postseason so far, but the Avalanche have been on the right side in terms of puck possession and scoring chances at even strength for long stretches of the series, which could give them the edge at home in Game 6. If Heiskanen's healthy, that could tip the series balance more in Dallas' favor. (4) Kings tied with (6) Oilers 2-2 This series has had a bit of a split personality, with two games in one. There's the game when Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard are on the ice, inflicting their will on the result, shift after shift. And then there's the game when they're not, when the Kings go to work putting a pile of pucks on the Oilers' beleaguered, overmatched goalies. The numbers tell a pretty incredible story. With McDavid on the ice, the Oilers are controlling 69 percent of chances at even strength. With Draisaitl out there, that jumps to 76 percent. With them out there together for the 45 minutes they've teamed up, they've had a ridiculous 85 percent of the expected goals, basically having their way with a Kings team that was one of the top defensive clubs in the NHL all season. Add in a power play that's clicking at 40 percent, and it's no wonder the two Oilers stars have nine points through four games to lead the league. Without McDavid and Draisaitl on the ice, however, it's the Oilers that get filled in (44 percent expected goals share). Minus Bouchard, too, and things get even more dire, closer to 60-40 in L.A.'s favor. Advertisement That's been the story every time these two teams have matched up in the playoffs, with the McDavid and Draisaitl Show taking over, and it's the biggest reason the Kings are 0-3 in these meetings. But this is a better L.A. team, in goal and defensive depth. And Edmonton, without Mattias Ekholm on the back end and with its goalies struggling, is leakier than ever before. Whether those shifts will allow the Kings to hold off two of the best players of this generation makes the final three games of this series must-see TV. Because you know this one isn't ending in six. (Top photos of Connor Hellebuyck, Kirill Kaprizov and Connor McDavid: Sam Hodde, Luke Schmidt and Andy Devlin / Getty Images)
USA Today
14-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens odds, picks and predictions
The Chicago Blackhawks (23-46-11) and Montreal Canadiens (39-31-10) clash in a Monday contest at Bell Centre. The opening puck drop will be will be at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NHL odds around the Blackhawks vs. Canadiens odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions. Season series: Chicago leads 1-0 Chicago closed out its home season Saturday with a 5-4 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The Blackhawks won their last road game (5-2 at the Boston Bruins Thursday) but are just 1-7-1 over their last 9 away from home. The Canadiens also last played Saturday and filed a loss. They fell to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 1-0 overtime road tilt. With 88 points, the Canadiens currently hold the second and final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Montreal has lost 2 in a row (0-1-1) after going 6-0-0 from March 30-April 8. Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team's out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now! Blackhawks at Canadiens odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:54 a.m. ET. Moneyline: Blackhawks +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Canadiens -275 (bet $275 to win $100) Blackhawks +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Canadiens -275 (bet $275 to win $100) Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blackhawks +1.5 (-110) | Canadiens -1.5 (-110) Blackhawks +1.5 (-110) | Canadiens -1.5 (-110) Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -115 | U: -105) Blackhawks at Canadiens projected goalies Spencer Knight (16-16-3, 2.72 GAA, .901 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Sam Montembeault (30-24-6, 2.83 GAA, .901 SV%, 4 SO) Knight was between the pipes Saturday and allowed 4 goals while making 37 saves. He has won just once (1-4-2) while clocking an .878 SV% since March 26. Montembeault yielded 4 twine-finders in his last effort (Friday at the Ottawa Senators), but he's been mostly solid of late. The 28-year-old is 5-1-0 with a .927 SV% across his last half-dozen games. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! Blackhawks at Canadiens picks and predictions Prediction Canadiens 5, Blackhawks 2 No interest: PASS. The last Chicago-Montreal meeting was Jan. 3 in Chicago. The Blackhawks won that game 4-2, snapping a 4-game Canadiens series win streak. Two of those 4 Habs wins were by multi-goal margins. Since March 8, Chicago has gone 3-11-3. All 11 of the regulation losses were by 2 goals or more. Six were by 3 or more. The Canadiens have won 5 straight games on 1 day of rest, covering the puck line (-1.5) in 3 of those victories. With a likable Over in this one and with much to play for and a goaltender advantage, BACK MONTREAL -1.5 (-106) — price available on FanDuel Sportsbook. The 'Hawks have exhibited shaky road defense all season, and of late they have been particularly leaky away from home. Chicago has coughed up 4.33 goals per game (GPG) across its last 6 road tilts. In overall games on 1 day of rest, the Blackhawks have yielded 3.60 GPG. And the 'Hawks have been porous in allowing more frequent 5-on-5 high-danger shots of late. Montreal has scored 4.00 GPG over its last 10 at home. The OVER 6 (-115) is the value side of this late-season matchup. For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
New York Times
09-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Red Wings' playoff fate looks all but sealed as their season slips away in Montreal
After everything the Detroit Red Wings have gone through this season — a miserable start, a sudden surge after a midseason coaching change, and a disastrous March to give it all back — it was hard to believe the Red Wings were where they were entering Tuesday night's game in Montreal: still, somehow, in the fight. Advertisement If Detroit had pulled off the win over the Canadiens, it would have trimmed Montreal's lead in the Eastern Conference wild-card race to just four points, with the Red Wings having an extra game remaining (five). That's still a long shot, to be sure, but it was enough to give them a fighting chance. And that's how the Red Wings came out Tuesday, fighting — peppering Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault with 23 shots in the first period. They got the start they wanted, and captain Dylan Larkin gave them the early goal they needed, his first in nine games. They were physical. They looked inspired. But after Montreal tied the game at 1 late in the second period, the Red Wings couldn't find the next goal they so badly needed. J.T. Compher sailed a puck high while staring down an open net, off a friendly bounce with Montembeault out of the crease to play the puck. Lucas Raymond couldn't convert on a partial breakaway. And finally, they paid the price. Midway through the third period, Albert Johansson lost his helmet in a battle behind the net, and Montreal's Josh Anderson capitalized, banging home the game-winner while Johansson (who by rule had to either secure his helmet or go to the bench) was going to get it. Josh Anderson puts the Habs ahead! 🚨 — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 9, 2025 Tack on a pair of empty-netters, and the 4-1 final is a virtual dagger to the Red Wings' already faint playoff hopes. Detroit outshot the Canadiens, 36-21, but in a story that was all too familiar, could not put enough in the net. They are now eight points back of Montreal with five games left, meaning the Red Wings would need to either win four of their remaining five games, with Montreal losing out, or win all five if the Canadiens win just one — and have enough of those wins in regulation to secure the tiebreaker, all while also holding off the Rangers, Blue Jackets and Islanders, with whom they are currently tied. Advertisement It's a theoretical possibility, but one so remote that it merits only nominal consideration. Detroit's playoff drought looks destined to go to nine years, the second-longest active drought of any team (Buffalo is the longest at 14), and tied for the fourth-longest drought in NHL history. It's a miserable place to be for one of the league's most storied franchises. This now goes beyond the expected pain of a rebuild — even knowing how dire a situation Steve Yzerman inherited as general manager back in 2019. The Senators, who have been rebuilding on a parallel timeline to the Red Wings, clinched a playoff spot Tuesday night with Detroit's loss, snapping their own seven-year drought. The Canadiens, who started their own rebuild after going to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021, look all but sure to be back in the postseason in less than half the time Detroit has taken. No two rebuilds are exactly alike, of course, as each begins with different opportunities and challenges. But for both Atlantic Division opponents to get back to the playoffs before the Red Wings is concerning at a minimum and speaks to the missteps Detroit has made. The 2-1 goal that sealed their fate Tuesday came off an offensive zone turnover by last summer's top free agent acquisition Vladimir Tarasenko, who has underperformed all season. It also featured a lost race by Justin Holl, a 2023 free-agent signing who hasn't worked out well in Detroit. Those are just two plays of a 60-minute game, of course. There were all kinds of missed opportunities on the night. And even that goal was ultimately decided by Johansson's lost helmet forcing him out of the play. But the Red Wings' lackluster results in free agency have been such a pain point that the back-breaking goal coming in that fashion hit especially hard. While this loss wasn't as conclusive as last year's ending in Montreal — when Detroit won in a shootout in its final regular-season game, only to learn it had missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker — the near-certainty of this result carries a similar weight. Advertisement The Red Wings had fought back from the brink on multiple occasions this season, even putting themselves in a playoff spot in February, but couldn't close the deal. Now, they're left with that nine-year drought, a fan base that is running out of patience, and an imperative to not repeat this all next season. For the next nine days, Detroit will have no choice but to cling to that slim, theoretical playoff path until it becomes mathematically impossible. They will go next to Florida, then Tampa, then back home to host Dallas — three teams who could easily win the Stanley Cup — before heading back on the road to New Jersey and Toronto. Going into Tuesday, there was at least some question as to what would follow that. But after a gutting loss, their fate appears to be sealed.
