As the calendar flips to 2026, the Detroit Red Wings find themselves in an unfamiliar position, first place in the ever-so-tight Atlantic Division. Thanks to a December that saw the Red Wings go 10-3-1, they have put themselves in a position to bring playoff hockey back to Detroit.
January becomes just as important as December was if the Red Wings want to break their nine-year playoff drought. With 15 games in 31 days, the Red Wings will be tested, as this schedule includes five Atlantic Division matchups and 10 games against teams that were playoff teams last year.
Here is a look at five games for the fans to get excited about in January
Jan. 5, @ Ottawa Senators
The first matchup of the season between these divisional opponents, these teams will meet twice in January, once in February and one final time at the end of March. Last season, the Red Wings went 1-3-0 against the Senators, with Ottawa finishing as the top wild card team in the Eastern Conference.
All four of the matchups resulted in one-goal games, showcasing the tightness between the two teams. The Senators claimed seven points, compared to Detroit’s two, which helped lead to a gap between the two teams as the season closed out.
Two seasons ago, the Red Wings went 1-1-2 against the Senators, so this has been a team that has found a way to give the Red Wings problems in the Atlantic. This season, the Senators sit at 18-15-5, eight points back of the Red Wings, making every point the Wings can get on them will be key in the ever-so-tight Atlantic.
Jan. 10, @ Montreal Canadiens
The first matchup between these two clubs did not go as planned for the Red Wings. It was the Red Wings’ home opener, and Montreal came into Little Caesars Arena and defeated them 5-1. John Gibson was pulled in his Wings debut after allowing five goals on 13 shots, in what was an ugly debut.
The two teams only meet three times this season, making every head-to-head matchup that much more vital. Much like against Ottawa last season, the Red Wings struggled against this divisional opponent, going 1-3-0 and having to see the Canadiens claim the final wild card spot, with five more points than the Red Wings.
As the standings sit today, both teams find themselves at the top of the Atlantic, separated by one point. The two teams are very even when looking at the stats to this point in the season. The Red Wings have scored 125 and given up 129, compared to the Canadiens, who have scored 130 and allowed 131.
This meeting takes place on a Saturday night at the Bell Centre, making for an almost playoff environment between two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Jan. 12, Vs. Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have become a staple of consistency in the Eastern Conference, currently riding a seven-year playoff streak and winning their Division four times over that span. The Hurricanes once again find themselves at the top of the Eastern Conference, leading the way with 51 points and good for fourth in the National Hockey League.
As the Red Wings saw in the first game out of the holiday break on Dec. 27, the Hurricanes can dominate as they defeated the Red Wings 5-2 and outshot them 38-20. The last time the Red Wings won a game in Carolina was Apr. 14, 2022, so Detroit has struggled consistently on the road against them.
The good news is, this matchup is in Detroit, a place where the Wings have gone 13-7-1 in the 2025-26 season, as opposed to 10-7-1 on the road. If the Red Wings want to get redemption and measure themselves against a top-tier Eastern Conference team, the Hurricanes provide a great opportunity to do so.
Jan. 22, @ Minnesota Wild
The Red Wings will play the Wild two times before the 2025-26 regular season comes to a close in mid-April. This gives Red Wings fans who wanted general manager Steve Yzerman to acquire Quinn Hughes two looks at the Michigan native.
Like the Hurricanes, the Wild find themselves at the top of their respective conference, trailing only Central Division foes the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars. Since the Wild acquired Hughes, they are 6-1-1 as they try to hunt down a Central Division title.
A playoff team in 11 of the past 13 years, showing consistency in regular seasons to find themselves in the hunt for Lord Stanley. This game will also be the second half of a back-to-back, after a game in Toronto the night prior. Last season, the Red Wings went into Minnesota and won a tight-checking 3-2 contest, giving fans hope that the Red Wings can find a way again against a top team.
Jan. 31, Vs. Colorado Avalanche
The ultimate measuring stick type game, the Avalanche have been the NHL’s best team all year with a record of 29-2-7. The Avalanche have scored the most goals for and allowed the least, as household names Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar continue their dominance over the league.
MacKinnon, Makar and Martin Necas all sit in the top 15 in scoring, highlighting a powerful attack the Avalanche roll out on any given night. In the past two seasons, the Red Wings and Avalanche have played two close contests at Little Caesars Arena, with the two teams splitting the two games and both ending in a 2-1 score.
The Saturday game will take place at 1 p.m. EST, and the Red Wings have done well with Afternoon stats, going 5-2 with puck drops that start before 3 p.m. EST.