Detroit Red Wings need a win to keep playoff hopes from dwindling

The Detroit Red Wings still have a chance to make the playoffs. Even after a rough go lately, struggling to do much of anything during this road trip that has been tough to watch, the Red Wings are fighting. They have been clinging to a postseason berth hope this year and are doing what they can to get to the other side of the wall.

The Detroit Red Wings may be hurting themselves right now, putting their playoff hopes into question and raising concern about being able to get there -- but there should be some confidence. Detroit is still in a spot where the playoff hopes should be very much alive at this point.

They are on a losing streak, and things do not look good. Without Dylan Larkin in the lineup, the team is struggling. The Red Wings have not been able to get it done lately and have started to snowball a losing streak together that they are hoping to snap in Buffalo. With any luck, they'll be able to grab a win against the Sabres and snap the skid.

Detroit has 72 points on the season. The New York Islanders have caught them with a game in hand. If the season ended today, Tampa Bay owns the other wildcard spot, making things pretty dicey for the Red Wings. But, with plenty of time left on the schedule as the clock winds down, don't count them out yet.

The Detroit Red Wings playoff hopes are still alive amid skid.

Sure, things are not going well for the Detroit Red Wings right now, but they still have a chance to win one of those wildcard spots and a postseason berth. After the game against Vegas, there was some more hope for the Red Wings and their playoff run.

Mostly because the rest of the season slate does not have many playoff teams they will have to face. This could give them a chance to sneak in some wins and tally some points to ensure that they can make the postseason. This one's going to come down to the wire, and Detroit is going to have to grind out some wins.

One thing is for certain: the skid has to stop tonight in Buffalo. Detroit has to find ways to put up points nightly and stay in line with the Lightning and Islanders. New Jersey has slowly fallen out of the race, but the Washington Capitals are still knocking on the door as well.

However, the Islanders pose the biggest threat right now, and the Red Wings need to find ways to clean up this week and add in a few points. A recent MLive subscriber piece delved into the Red Wings' remaining schedule and how it affects their chances compared to the competitors in the playoff race.

If Detroit wants to be in the postseason, it will take some better performances. Being able to put up points and get back up the standings ahead of Tampa Bay will be crucial. Let the Islanders and Lightning fight it out, but for now, Detroit just needs a win.