The Detroit Red Wings are fighting for their lives. Coming off back-to-back losses against division rivals, Detroit is now just a point out of the playoff picture and one spot behind the New York Islanders. Making up for lost ground isn't impossible, but it's becoming increasingly harder by the day. With just 11 games remaining on the schedule, the margin of error between the Red Wings and the playoffs is becoming smaller by the day.
Tonight, they'll face their toughest challenge yet: the hottest team in the NHL.
The Buffalo Sabres look unstoppable. They've put together an awe-inspiring 30-6-4 record since firing general manager Kevyn Adams. They're 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. To top it all off, they hold a substantial lead on the Atlantic Division title with 96 points in 72 games.
To say this is the most important game of Detroit's season is an understatement.
How Red Wings, Sabres have stacked up thus far
The Sabres and Red Wings have faced off twice this season. In that time, the Sabres have gone home with victories in each encounter. While it might seem like an uphill battle, it's important to note that the Ottawa Senators just beat both the New York Rangers and the Red Wings with a depleted defensive core. Anything is possible in the NHL.
If the Red Wings hope to come up with a victory, they need to keep an eye on center Tage Thompson. The Sabres' star player has 25 points in 21 games against Detroit, posting 13 goals in that timeframe. At times, it seems like Thompson scoring against the Red Wings is inevitable. If the team wants to win tonight, the goal should be stifling Thompson -- or, at the very least, making sure he doesn't do too much damage.
Red Wings need culture-defining victory
The odds seem stacked against Detroit. They're taking on the hottest team in the NHL, an organization with a 2-0 record against them this season on their home turf. But this is where the Red Wings should thrive. Adversity needs to be the fuel that starts the fire in Hockeytown. They need to show they're capable of forming an identity through the struggle.
Imagine what pulling off a huge win against the toughest team in the league would do for younger players. Imagine the standard of excellence it can set within Detroit. If this team, despite setbacks and shortcomings, can leave Buffalo with a win, it will bolster playoff hopes by an astronomical margin.
Captain Dylan Larkin said that the entire team was mad following the loss against the Senators. Now is the time to put up or shut up. If the Red WIngs hope to ever be a team worthy of contention, they need to do everything in their power to win, no matter the odds.