“It’s very disappointing seeing where we were and now where we’re at,” said Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin Sunday afternoon following practice.  The evening prior, the Red Wings were officially eliminated from playoff contention, though the “e” next to their name in the standings felt like a formality after limping through the month of March to the end of season with playoff hopes that existed as a mathematical possibility more than as any offshoot of their performances on the ice.  For the ninth season in a row, Detroit will not have representation in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Now, Monday night against the Dallas Stars, the Red Wings will play their final game at Little Caesars Arena of the 2024-25 season, a jewel of a venue opened in 2017 that’s yet to host a Stanley Cup Playoff game.

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“There’s always something to play for in this league,” said Larkin.  “There’s always someone watching.  There’s always opportunity.”  But on this particular Monday, it’s difficult to identify just what that something might be.

“We’re out.  What else can I say?  We’re out,” said coach Todd McLellan Sunday.  “We’re not happy.  There are different moments throughout the season that you can point to, different aspects of our play that point to being out.  And that’s where we are right now.  All that does is tell us we’ve got a lot more work to do, and we’ve got to get after it.”

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“You could tell the spirit wasn’t the same in practice,” the coach admitted.  “I get it.  But they gotta come and work tomorrow.  I’m counting on them, and they should count on each other to do that.”  McLellan used the word “reputation” to describe what was on the line for his team individually in three remaining games that lack collective stakes.

When asked what needs to improve for 2025-26, McLellan named the penalty kill, defending in all situations, five-on-five offense and defense, and becoming heavier as growth areas “off the top of my head real quick.”  In short, there’s a lot of work left to do in Detroit.

Where to Watch

Monday night’s game (a 7pm puck drop) will air on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit in the Detroit market and the NHL Network elsewhere.  97.1 The Ticket will handle the radio broadcast, per usual.

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