Every game over the Red Wings' last five appearances have had a playoff feel to them. Perhaps it could be due to the gritty, physical style the Red Wings have adapted. Or perhaps it could do with the stakes of this leg of the season. After all, just a handful of untimely losses stands between the Red Wings and missing the playoffs.
Detroit's next three games come against the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres. Each team is eager to make the playoffs. Each is playing their best hockey this season. If ever there was a time for the Red Wings to pull it together, it's now. Thursday's game against the Montreal Canadiens showed they're more than capable of contending with playoff teams. Still, each team brings their own set of challenges.
It's up to the Red Wings to rise to the occasion.
Bruins prepared to test Red Wings' physicality
At this point, the Boston Bruins icing a physical, gritty team is practically a cliche. Still, if it works, it works. Boston's brand of hockey is built for the playoffs. They impose their will on opposing teams early, wearing them down with sandpaper toughness.
If that isn't enough, they also come equipped with a bevvy of scorers. David Pastrnak, Morgan Geekie and Pavel Zacha each come equipped with enough goal-scoring to run away with a game if left unchecked. If the Red Wings hope to contend against the Bruins, they'll need to beat them at their own game.
Simon Edvinsson and Moritz Seider need to be prepared to deliver huge hits. Marco Kasper's goal should be making the opposition's life hell. When a star is targeted, Detroit has to respond.
Ottawa arriving in Detroit hungry
If the Ottawa Senators are going down, they're going down swinging. Still, their playoff hopes are not out of sight yet. They're just five points short of a spot in the wild card race. To make matters worse, they're heating up at just the right time. They're 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. Doubt the Senators at your own peril.
Fortunately, they're coming to Detroit next Tuesday on a back-to-back after playing the Toronto Maple Leafs. But the last thing the Red Wings need to do is go on autopilot when Ottawa arrives. The combined efforts of players like Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk can terrorize any roster in the NHL.
In order to overcome the odds, the Red Wings have to apply near-constant pressure. They should focus on exploiting players like former Red Wing Nick Jensen to find their openings. If they're relentless in their pursuit of scoring, they can overcome Ottawa.
Sabres are biggest challenge for Red Wings
Of all the teams the Red Wings have faced thus far, none have been quite as hot as the Buffalo Sabres. Since firing general manager Kevyn Adams, the Sabres have exploded, putting together a jaw-dropping 29-6-2 record in that time. They're first in the Atlantic by a wide margin and look to be one of the top contenders during the playoffs.
The biggest roadblock between the Wings and a win is Buffalo's star power. Rasmus Dahlin is one of the best defensemen in the league. Tage Thompson seems to have it out for the Red Wings, scoring 25 points in 21 games. Plus, they've added a handful of players since Detroit's last duel to assist them.
Having said that, so have the Red Wings. If they hope to trounce the Sabres, they'll need to lean on newly-acquired David Perron and Justin Faulk to bring something different to the table. They can't rely on the same tactics of the past. This game will be the most important of Detroit's season. It will determine if - and how far - they can make it in the playoffs.