DETROIT IN ‘PLAYOFF MODE’ ON THE ROAD
Dylan Larkin, the Red Wings’ captain, has talked often lately about the team wanting to “write a story as a group.”
If that’s going to be the case, everyone is going to possibly get a sneak peek at the exciting ending, maybe even this week.
The remaining four games on this challenging five-game road trip begin Tuesday in Washington. Those improbable Capitals, who were sellers at the trade deadline, snuck ahead of the Wings for the second and final Eastern Conference wild-card spot Sunday with a 3-0 victory over Winnipeg.
The Capitals have 79 points, the Wings 78. The New York Islanders also are lurking behind the Wings, as are several other teams who still have a pulse of the pillow fight this race has been at times, with no one taking absolute charge.
After Washington, the Wings visit powerful Carolina (Thursday), Florida (Saturday) and Tampa Bay (April 1). There’s a good chance by this time next week, the Wings’ fate will be decided.
Exciting, feel-good story. Or an ugly, disappointing ending.
“If you ask any guy in that room before the season if we could be in this position, everyone would take it,” Larkin said before the start of this trip, with such important, meaningful games on the horizon. “You know there’s going to
be bumps, and we’ve shown that we can stick together.
“We’re at the time of year where you’re playing every other day. It’s hard. Going through adversity, we’ll see what it does for us. But I don’t think the way we’ve come out of it (a seven-game losing streak, followed by winning three of five) it’s a bad thing.”
Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the Predators was a gut punch for the Wings, who played one of their best games of the season, only to lose on a late goal to the streaking Predators. Nashville has earned points in 17 consecutive games, won 15 of them (15-0-2), and looked playoff-ready in downing the Wings.
Saturday’s game had all the tension and look on the ice of a playoff game. These next four road games will be every bit similar.
The Wings have wanted to experience this feeling for the last several years with a young nucleus that is getting NHL savvy and experienced. They’re getting the chance.
“It almost feels like we’ve been in the playoffs already, just because of the emotion from game to game,” said veteran forward David Perron, who has experienced many of these playoff runs.