Detroit Red Wings & the NHL

[Mike]

There were actually OUT of a spot yesterday until the Islanders lost. Now they're in a dead heat with them but have the tie-breaker.

[Rob F]

Total tailspin since the lines got shuffled following Larkin's injury. What's the latest on when Larkin returns to the lineup?

[Mike]

Initially, they said he'd be out 2 weeks and it's only been a few games so far. They are a completely different team without him. It's crazy how important he is to making the whole thing go.

[Mike]

The wheels… are off.

[Hannibal]

Yup. Entirely.

[Hannibal]

And just when we were ready to kick some dirt on them, they are back in the #8 spot. Just barely though. Big win last night with Larkin returning and scoring 2 goals.

[Mike]

5 points clear of NY, who had passed them fairly recently, and 3 ahead of the Caps. Problem is both those teams have games in hand over the Wings. Five game road trip coming up including a game at Washington. Need to at LEAST get 4 or 5 points out of it. They start in Nashville who is 8-0-2 their last 10 games, then at Washington, @ Carolina, @ Florida, @ Tampa. If they get drubbed like they did on the most recent road trip, the season will be over.

[Hannibal]

Is there anywhere where somebody has compiled a "with Larkin" and "without Larkin" record? They are a bottom feeder without him and pretty darn good with him.

[Whitley]

His game logs for the season should include the game result too.

[Mike]

The Athletic had an article about it a couple weeks ago and the difference is jaw-dropping. Like, worst in the league without him, solid playoff team with him.

[Hannibal]

Welp. They made progress this year, but it looks like we're going to have to wait at least another year to see the playoffs in Hockeytown again.

[Hannibal]

Five more games to go. Two of them are against the #9.and the #10 teams, plus two games against the lowly Canadians. Go 4-1 and they are in for sure. If fhey sweep the Pens and the Caps and win one more, then that probably gets them in too. 2-3 — I doubt it.

Money Puck has them at 51% chance now.

[Mike]

4 teams are separated by 1 point for the final playoff spot. The home game tonight against Washington is about as close to a “must-win” game as it gets.

[Hannibal]

Would love to see them finish 4-1 at least so that they can finish above .500. That looked like a sure thing four weeks ago.

[Mike]

I don't really count OT and shootout losses as "losses". I use point percentage as a more accurate gauge of team performance. The Wings are .545. It's the same as looking at their record through a pre-shootout lens. To me, 38-31-8 is 7 games over .500.