The Detroit Red Wings have entered the offseason for the ninth consecutive season without any kind of postseason play. This drought comes after making it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for 25 straight years, which is just incredible and astounding considering their current status. The highest of highs to the lowest of lows, in the blink of an eye.
The 2024-25 season was the same as the past eight. There was hope in preseason that this was the year the streak broke, midseason worries, and then the inevitable and painful elimination.
Let's break down three important games that showcased this season.
October 10, 2024 Vs Pittsburgh Penguins
The start of the 2024-25 season. This was the first game of 82 that would predict the early absence from the playoffs. In a heavyweight bout against the Pittsburgh Penguins on opening night at Little Caesars Arena, they lost the game 6-3. This would be the first of six instances in which the Red Wings would give up half a dozen goals, none of which were victories.
This game would set the tone negatively. They would have a 4-5-1 record over the first 10 games of the season.
March 1, 2025 Vs Columbus Blue Jackets
On the season's biggest stage, the Red Wings took their talents outside in a Stadium Series game against the hometown Columbus Blue Jackets at Ohio Stadium. This would be another losing effort, 5-3, dropping their record to 30-24-6. At that point, they sat in the second wildcard spot with 66 points, narrowly in front of the team that did make it into the playoffs, the Ottawa Senators.
Losing in this game was a gut-wrenching defeat, especially for a franchise that feeds off the public spotlight of outdoor hockey games. At 2-1-2 in their five outdoor games, they are tied for the third-most points gained by playing outside with six.
April 11, 2025 Vs Tampa Bay Lightning
This game was a win, but it had the most impact on this season, as it was the final time the Red Wings were in playoff contention. After beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in overtime on this wrister by Marco Kasper, the Montreal Canadiens would clinch their playoff spot the next night.
MARCO KASPER WINS IT AND KEEPS THE RED WINGS’ PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE 🚨 pic.twitter.com/912Pz1flhD
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 12, 2025
Even when the Red Wings did everytjing they could to try and make it into the big dance, they couldn't keep up with the rest of the pack. Onto next season, and hopefully this streak doesn't hit double-digits.