15 of the next 19

[Yellowknife Redwing 57]

With how tight the Western Conference is right now, it's looking like we're going to have to win in the neighbourhood of 13-15 of the remaining 19 games in order to secure a playoff spot. Detroit hasn't won 3 consecutive games in 2 months and hasn't scored more than 4 goals in over 40 games. I haven't lost faith and I'm not intending to make this a panic post, but realistically - do you think this team is going to be able to flip the switch when it comes to crunch time? Not only is the team going to have to face the challenge of teams wanting to "get up to beat the Wings", now they have the added incentive to try to spoil our playoff hopes.

We've had the "oh well, it's only ________ part of the season, we still have ___ games to go" excuse going steadily for pretty much the entire year, but the sands in the hour glass are growing few.

[Behind Enemy Lines in CO 11]

Funny, I was thinking the exact same thing earlier today. With 96 points basically being the line were a team makes the playoffs over the last few years, the boys had 70 points as of last night and I figured they would need to go 13-5-2 over their last 20 just to make the 96 point level.

[SDavis35 140]

Before the Olympic break there was a post (maybe a thread) that included the %chance that teams would make the playoffs with certain records down the stretch. The one I picked (23 games remaining for the wings) as realistic gave them an 80% chance. They had to go 13-7-3 in those final 23, since then they are 2-1-1, leaves us to go with 11-6-2 in my opinion. Very possible, but I'd rather they do better, and I think they can.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

15 of 19?

There's a better chances that I'll have a threesome with Jessica Alba and Scarlett Johansson by the year's end, than us having that kind of record.

We can't even even win 3 in a row, like you said, and besides we suck in OT and shootouts and there's bound to be some of those.

[McAwesome 754]

I'm not panicking yet, but I have to agree with you, things are getting a little more tense with every passing game, especially when we are literally playing for our playoff lives each night. It seems like every time we start to look like we are pulling it all together, we have a game like tonight where a couple of bad breaks seem to take all of the wind out of our sails and we implode. It's getting old fast, and if we have even one more game like tonight for the rest of the season, we will likely be out of the playoffs, and the way we have played this season we do not deserve to make the playoffs.

[Yak19 303]

15 of 19 lol

they can't win 3 in a row

15 of 19

gotta rely on other teams to lose like this team has been, thats there only chance

not the best strategy but hey thats what it seems to be

[Yzermania 156]

although, even with tonight's loss, if calgary doesn't win, nothing really changes.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

although, even with tonight's loss, if calgary doesn't win, nothing really changes.

You're forgetting the other 5 teams breathing down or necks, and Nashville, who we could have gotten closer to by winning.

It's not just about keeping pace with Calgary.

[Yellowknife Redwing 57]

Don't mistake the purpose of my post. There's probably a mathematical possibility that the Wings could get into the playoffs winning only 9 of the next 19, but the odds greatly diminish with every single loss. My 15/19 number is almost a 100% guarantee that we will lock down 8th seed. That's 30 of a possible 38 points. With each point lost, we further decrease our odds of deciding our own destiny. The last thing thing any of us want to do is sit down and watch a Flames or Predators game on the last game of the schedule praying that they lose so we make the playoffs.

There are no longer any excuses. This is still very much the core of a team that just came off back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances and were poised for a 3rd. They're completely healthy, getting solid goaltending and have all the motivating factors on their side. They have just under 1/4 of the season to show what they're made of.

[Stockholm 0]

Can't stare to blindly at at the 96pts point. Over the line now, means they just have to match the score of the other teams. Wins against the Flames and Blues and it will work out just fine.

[RedWingedKitten 9]

Don't mistake the purpose of my post. There's probably a mathematical possibility that the Wings could get into the playoffs winning only 9 of the next 19, but the odds greatly diminish with every single loss. My 15/19 number is almost a 100% guarantee that we will lock down 8th seed. That's 30 of a possible 38 points. With each point lost, we further decrease our odds of deciding our own destiny. The last thing thing any of us want to do is sit down and watch a Flames or Predators game on the last game of the schedule praying that they lose so we make the playoffs.

There are no longer any excuses. This is still very much the core of a team that just came off back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances and were poised for a 3rd. They're completely healthy, getting solid goaltending and have all the motivating factors on their side. They have just under 1/4 of the season to show what they're made of.

Quoted for truth. If the Red Wings miss there are no excuses. It's a new season now boys. (albeit a very short season)

[wmubronco420 25]

the lineup we had last night i think is the best we've had all season. Thats what the wings were supposed to look like coming into the season, and id be very surprised if they didnt start winning like crazy.

[skyphoenix 153]

The Wings bounced back perfectly from the Vancouver game and definitely showed up last night. That was the team I've been waiting to see with everyone healthy. I really hope they can keep it up.

After Datsyuk's goal, it was really nice to see him that happy. The team actually looked motivated to play.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

There's a better chances that I'll have a threesome with Jessica Alba and Scarlett Johansson by the year's end, than us having that kind of record.

lol You wish.

[Jericho613 74]

I can't wait to laugh at all the doubters when the wings make the playoffs. Some of you people call yourselves fans.

[kylee 727]

wings have a chance to gain even more ground if Colorado and LA lose tonight. Hang in their folks, the Wings can make a significant jump here. i think they're going to pick up their game. IF you look outside of the game against the canucks where they looked lethargic, they do seem to look like they're playing as a team more.

[cjm502 165]

Im pretty sure we will make the playoffs. The 96pt line is going to be a little lower this year thanks to the good teams being really good, and the bad teams being even worse. The guys in the middle of the pack just have to fight each other, and we should be able to pull that off without too much difficulty.

[Mors 201]

They have to overcome a challenge like this just to prove that they can actually succeed in the playoffs anyway, getting in is only half the battle, doesn't do any good if they make it and get knocked out in the first round because of half-ass play.

[8 Legged RedWing 367]

They have to overcome a challenge like this just to prove that they can actually succeed in the playoffs anyway, getting in is only half the battle, doesn't do any good if they make it and get knocked out in the first round because of half-ass play.

Yea but you know we all want them to keep the playoff streak alive. I was born in 1990... I haven't lived a year without red wings playoff hockey and don't want to this year.

[ilmickeyli 40]

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Western/Central/RedWings.html

[russianswede919293 95]

As dirty as I feel I am glad the Penguins won today. Dallas lost another one. Now hopefully we can win tomorrow, and Calgary loses to Minnesotta (in regulation)

A few more big wins in a row and I will start to feel confident again.

[Echolalia 2,961]

All they need to do is stay ahead of the teams behind us. As bad as they're position is at the moment, they are still fortunate enough to be in a situation where they can determine whether they make the playoffs or not. As of now there is no relying on others to lose. I just pray that it remains that way throughout these next 19 games.

[betterREDthandead 58]

All they need to do is stay ahead of the teams behind us.

Thanks, John Madden. Do you think they'll win the next game if they score more points than the opponent?

[Echolalia 2,961]

Thanks, John Madden. Do you think they'll win the next game if they score more points than the opponent?

Its tough to say. Will Stephan Auger be reffing?

[betterREDthandead 58]

Its tough to say. Will Stephan Auger be reffing?

Touche.