While the NHL trade deadline is front and center these days, there’s something else going on that you may not have heard of. The Red Wings and their NBA brethren, the Pistons, have a chance to accomplish something that hasn’t been done in, well, ever.
As Shawn Windsor of the Detroit Free Press explains, “If the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings make the playoffs next month, it will mark the first time in the city’s history — dating back to 1957, when the Pistons arrived in town from Fort Wayne — that all four of its teams have made the postseason in the same season.”
Looking at the NBA Standings, the Pistons, who were outright awful last season, have enjoyed quite a fine turnaround. They seem to be entrenched as the sixth seed for the NBA Playoffs should they stay hot. As for the Red Wings? Well, they got some work to do.
Making Detroit sports history might come down to the Red Wings this April
While the Pistons could easily falter down the stretch and end up in the Play-In Tournament or whatever they call it - I haven’t properly followed basketball since the average final score had become 120-115 in most games - they’ve been on a hot streak.
As for the Red Wings? They’ve cooled down following Todd McLellan’s bursting onto the scene a few months back. Has it really been that long already? Anyway, the Wings are clinging to that second wild card spot following their Stadium Series loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
With 66 points in 60 games, they’re just two points ahead of the Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins. To make matters worse, Ottawa has a game in hand, but the Rangers and Wings, as of Monday morning, have each played 60 contests apiece. The Wings still have two games in hand on the Bruins, so there’s some good news there.
Red Wings need a strong trade deadline this week
Right now, I’m checking my phone for constant updates, looking to see if the Red Wings make a big trade. And trust me, whether I like who Steve Yzerman acquires or not, you’ll hear about it. And if I feel his acquisitions strengthen this team, then I’ll like their odds of making the playoffs more.
If not, then it doesn’t mean they’re out of the running. That would be foolish thinking, considering how much better they’ve been under head coach Todd McLellan. But still, they’ll need to fight that much harder for a postseason berth should they remain idle.
This will be the most pivotal week in recent history for the Red Wings regardless of what happens. And with potential history to be made in the Motor City this season, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Yes, this rests on the Pistons shoulders, too, but right now, they seem to be in fine shape while the Red Wings have struggled in recent weeks.