Paul Tyler
The good and bad: Review our list of the worst 3 Detroit Red Wings moments from the recently completed season.
The disappointment is palpable as the Detroit Red Wings have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 8th consecutive year, marking the longest drought in franchise history. While the season had its fair share of exciting moments for fans to reminisce about, there were also notable disappointments along the way. Take a look at our list below of the worst 3 Detroit Red Wings moments of the recently completed campaign.
Blowing a 4-0 lead against the lowly San Jose Sharks
The roller coaster game against the San Jose Sharks in early December served as a stark reminder for the Red Wings of the importance of every point in the standings. Holding a commanding 4-0 lead midway through the second period, Detroit seemed poised for victory. However, the Sharks mounted a relentless comeback, scoring four quick goals to level the score.
Despite Detroit regaining the lead, the Sharks tied the game late in regulation and ultimately secured the win in overtime. The collapse was a bitter disappointment, especially considering the loss of a valuable point in the standings that could have made a significant difference later on.
Losing twice in a week to the Arizona Coyotes by a combined 8-1 score
The month of March proved to be a challenging period for the Red Wings as they endured a costly seven-game losing streak, resulting in the loss of the nine-point lead they had accumulated in the standings. Facing the basement-dwelling Arizona Coyotes, who had sold at the NHL Trade Deadline, twice in one week seemed like an opportunity for redemption.
However, the Red Wings faltered, suffering embarrassing losses in both games with a combined score of 8-1 in favor of Arizona. What was more concerning was Detroit’s lack of intensity throughout both matchups. Failing to secure any points against an inferior opponent proved to be a significant setback for the Red Wings, who ultimately missed the playoffs by just a pair of points.
Frightening injury to Dylan Larkin vs. Ottawa
The Red Wings faced adversity when Dylan Larkin was sidelined for several games, not once but twice during the season. The first incident occurred on December 9 in a matchup against the Ottawa Senators, marking one of the more concerning moments in recent memory. During the 1st period, Larkin received a punch to the back of the head from Ottawa’s Mathieu Joseph, causing him to collapse unconscious on the ice. He remained motionless for over a minute, raising significant concerns for his well-being.
Dylan Larkin’s absence during the Red Wings’ losing streak in March further underscored his importance to the team. As they faltered and fell out of the playoff race, any doubts regarding Larkin’s significance were unequivocally silenced.
