Detroit Red Wings hoping playoff chances have not dried up

The Detroit Red Wings are hoping they can get through the other half of the 2023-24 season with a lot at stake. Detroit needs to get many things going in their favor if they want to make the playoffs. For Detroit, it will really boil down to a couple of things, especially as they get into the 2024 calendar year.

Octopus Thrower site expert Bob Heyrman recently wrote about how goaltender Alex Lyon can try to salvage the Detroit Red Wings season. Alex Lyon is doing what he can to jump into the team's starting goalie role. Ville Husso has not quite been the player that Detroit was hoping for.

Husso had been looking to be durable in 2023-24, but that was different. Meanwhile, Lyon has settled into this role, and if he can post quality starts, it will only help the Red Wings. However, the Red Wings need to find ways to churn out some wins. The Red Wings struggling to snap the losing streak in December was a problem and dug themselves a bit of a hole.

The Red Wings' goaltending is a big piece of the puzzle, with the playoff hopes in jeopardy. Lyon being around is a huge addition for the Red Wings, especially if he can help them stay in the win column. The Red Wings also need their offense to find ways to get the job done.

The Detroit Red Wings are hoping playoff chances have not dried up.

Detroit's ability to score has been exceptional in 2023-24, with a new influx of players like Alex DeBrincat. After being acquired in the big blockbuster deal with the Senators, he has been a bright spot for Detroit, even earning his way to an All-Star Game appearance. But overall, scoring has been great, with 141 goals for the year.

The Red Wings had 141 goals scored in 2023-24, which leads all of the NHL in terms of offense. It's huge for Detroit to see this type of offense coming out and showing up. If Detroit can continue to see their forwards score goals and produce offense, they might be able to help themselves in some of these close games.

Let's be honest: the goaltending struggles have made it challenging for Detroit at times. The Red Wings have dug themselves holes at times, and the influx of offense can be the difference between wins and losses. Detroit's playoff chances may have dried up, but earlier this season, they were a lot higher.

The likelihood of Detroit getting a postseason bid may end up as a lost cause, but a string of wins could put them back in position to compete. At the end of the day, the Red Wings are knocking on the door still, which is still progress; making the playoffs would be a victory in itself, even if they sneak in.

The month of January will be a big tell for the Red Wings.