Red Wings playoff streak in serious jeopardy as team travels west

Detroit needs points during treacherous western road trip

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DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings dropped the first game Wednesday night of what could end up being the western road trip that ends their playoff hopes. 

The 2-0 loss in Anaheim keeps the Red Wings (16-17-5, 37 points) at 7th place in the Atlantic Division, 7 points behind the 3rd place Boston Bruins. Detroit is even further back from a Wild Card spot -- the Philadelphia Flyers are in the final playoff spot with 45 points. 

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Here's what the Red Wings face in the next two weeks: 

  • Jan. 5 @ Los Angeles
  • Jan. 7 @ San Jose
  • Jan. 10 @ Chicago
  • Jan. 12 @ Dallas
  • Jan. 14 vs. Pittsburgh

With the exception of the Dallas Stars, that's a list of bonafide playoff teams the Red Wings will try to match up against. And, by the way, the Stars are just 2 points out of the last playoff spot in the west. 

Of course, if the Red Wings drop the majority of these 10 possible points, it doesn't mean their playoff hopes are completely finished. They'll have nearly half a season still to play. Instead it means they suddenly have to become an above .500 team and hope at least a couple teams ahead of them in the standings start to slip up. That's not likely. 

If you've been paying attention to the Red Wings this season, then none of this surprises you. If you haven't, then this could be a lousy reality check about a team you're used to seeing in the post season.

Bottom line: Right now, on Jan. 5, the Red Wings' chance of missing the playoffs this spring far outweighs their chance of making the playoffs. 

 

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