The Daily: Red Wings Lost Playoff Spot in March; Panthers Finish First

The Washington Capitals’ win over the Philadelphia Flyers was the immediate cause of the Detroit Red Wings missing out on the NHL playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. But when GM Steve Yzerman begins reviewing how this season unfolded it will be clear that the team’s 4-9-2 record in March played a large role in their undoing.

The two losses to the Arizona Coyotes that month are going to stick in the fans’ mind. And the number of goals the Red Wings gave up will stand out. Over their last 23 games, the Red Wings gave up four or more goals 15 times (65.2%). It’s hard to make the playoff with those numbers.

Detroit was 24th in team goals-against in 2023-24, two places lower than they were in 2022-23.  Goaltending certainly played a role in that, but the team’s overall defensive play was inconsistent down the stretch.

Yzerman and coach Derek Lalonde will have much to discuss this week.

You want to play meaningful games to find out what your players are made of.

Lucas Raymond's last 32GP: 18G, 13A, 31PTS

Raymond in April: 8GP, 7G, 5A, 12PTS, +8

Safe to say the Red Wings have learned something about Raymond. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Ybkvxue1gs

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) April 17, 2024

Red Wing In Case You Missed It

• Lucas Raymond proved with his player over the last month of the season that he is a budding superstar. Raymond was both dynamic and relentless.
• Scouts say Antti Tuomisto’s development this season in Grand Rapids shows he has a chance at playing in the NHL.
• Shai Buium has two NCAA championships, but will he have a contract with the Red Wings this summer? He hasn’t yet indicated his future plans.

Red Wings Offseason

The Red Wings will be looking at the Grand Rapids Griffins as they battle for home-ice advantage in their upcoming poostseason series in the AHL playoffs. With three games remaining in the regular-season, the Griffins hold a one-point lead over Rockford. The Griffins play the Iowa Wild on Wednesday and Friday and the Milwaukee Admirals on Sunday. With the Detroit season completed, look for Simon Edvinsson, Zach Aston-Reese and Austin Czarnik returning to the Griffins.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Jack Edwards, 67, is retiring as Boston Bruins broadcaster. He announced before the Bruins’ final regular-season game.

Colorado: Injured defenseman Sam Girard could be ready to play by the start of the Colorado Avalanche’s first-round series.

Florida: The Florida Panthers rally to beat the Maple Leafs and win the Atlantic Division. They will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.

Nashville: Andrew Brunette received some love for coach of the year in the NHL.com Jack Adams Trophy poll. Nashville Predators. 

Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins have no one to blame except themselves for missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season. They let too many games get away from them throughout the season.

San Jose: Because the Penguins missed the playoffs, the San Jose Sharks will end up with two picks in the top 15 of the NHL draft. The Sharks’ own Pittsburgh’s pick from the Erik Karlsson trade.