The Detroit Red Wings went from playoff locks for most of the season to on the outside looking in. The Red Wings endured their usual March downward spiral, but they haven't been able to get out of the slump in April. This past Sunday, the Red Wings endured their most heartbreaking loss of the season, and Patrick Kane played a huge role in it.
The Red Wing tied their game 4-4 late in regulation after trailing 4-1 to the Minnesota Wild. But with over two minutes to go, Kane committed a brutal tripping penalty on Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes. That set Minnesota up on the power play, which resulted Kirill Kaprizov scoring his third goal of the game and clinched Minnesota's 5-4 victory. So instead of the game going to overtime and the Red Wings getting at least a point, they ended up with zero. Kane received plenty of flak from fans and the media for the egregiousness of the penalty.
On Tuesday, Kane spoke with reporters about the penalty, saying that it was "maybe the worst I felt personally in my career."
Patrick Kane speaks with reporters after penalty costs Red Wings much-needed win vs. Wild
"Obviously, a lapse in judgment for sure," Kane said, h/t Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. "Looking back at the play, I've watched it obviously numerous times - just going for a change, probably trying to get in front of Quinn a little bit and give a little bit of interference and the stick got caught up.
"Obviously, didn't mean to do that or take a penalty at that time of game."
Kane went from hero to villain, as he officially tied the game up with a goal with over five minutes left in regulation. That was quickly forgotten after his blunder of a penalty.
Kane is owning up to the mistake, as it did play a pivotal role in the Red Wings losing and continuing to fall out of a playoff spot. This error by a former three-time Stanley Cup champion and Hart Trophy winner will be pinpointed as one of the reasons why they miss out on the playoffs if the team doesn't turn things around.
The team has fully collapsed as of late, especially in must-win situations. They no-showed against a New York Rangers team that was eliminated from playoff contention this past Saturday. Then against the Wild, only had 13 shots on goal through the first two periods. They broke out of their slumber in the third period, but the good vibes quickly disappeared.
Now, the Red Wings enter Tuesday with 88 points through 77 games. They are just two points back of the last Wild Card spot. There is still a chance they can climb into a spot, but they'll have to win as many games as possible. They face the Columbus Blue Jackets (Tuesday), Philadelphia Flyers (Thursday), New Jersey Devils (Saturday), Tampa Bay Lightning (Apr. 13), and Florida Panthers (Apr. 15) to close out their season.
Hope is not officially lost for the Red Wings, but they need to turn things around, and fast. For fans looking for Kane to take responsibility for the penalty on Sunday, you received it.