Fans will look back fondly at the top 3 Detroit Red Wings storylines from the recently completed 2023-24 season.
As the offseason descends upon the Detroit Red Wings following their agonizingly close miss at ending their Stanley Cup Playoff drought, there’s a silver lining in their 41 victories—the most since the 2015-16 season. This season has shown signs of growth, providing hope for the future. With Red Wings hockey on hiatus for the next five months, let’s reflect on the top 3 Detroit Red Wings storylines from the recently completed campaign.
Lucas Raymond reaches career highs in goals and points
Lucas Raymond rebounded from the dreaded sophomore slump and responded in a major way, amassing career highs in goals (31) and assists (41) for 72 points. The team envisioned this kind of play when they selected him with the 4th overall pick in 2020. And there was perhaps no bigger moment for Lucas Raymond than earlier this week when he put on the superhero cape and scored not only the game-tying goal late in regulation against the Montreal Canadiens, but also went on to score the winner in overtime.
Patrick Kane’s successful return to Chicago
One of the most captivating storylines of the season unfolded when former Chicago Blackhawks forward and future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane returned to the United Center, not only as a member of the opposition but clad in the colors of the bitter rivals, the Red Wings. Adding to the poignancy of the moment, earlier in the night, former Red Wings and Blackhawks defenseman Chris Chelios had his jersey number retired by the Blackhawks.
In a thrilling turn of events, former Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat notched the game-tying goal in the 3rd period and followed that up with an assist in the subsequent overtime session. Kane capitalized on a breakaway opportunity, expertly roofing a shot past Petr Mrazek. His triumphant gesture toward the crowd, which included a contingent of Red Wings fans, added an electrifying moment to the game.
The six-game winning streak in February
In a remarkable display of strength, the Red Wings embarked on a stunning run of six consecutive victories throughout February. This season-high streak showcased their prowess and propelled them to a nine-point cushion in the standings, distancing them from the next-ranked team. Among the memorable victories during this period were the OT win mentioned above win over Chicago, an impressive 8-3 triumph over the Washington Capitals, and a dominant 6-1 victory against the St. Louis Blues in front of a nationally televised audience.
