DETROIT – The 100-point mark has long been a standard of excellence in the NHL, assuring a team of reaching the playoffs.
The Detroit Red Wings have racked up 100 or more points 17 times since 1992-93 but haven’t hit that mark since 2014-15.
They might have their best chance in more than a decade to get back there.
The Red Wings reached the midway point of the season with 51 points following Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Winnipeg. They added a point Thursday in a 4-3 overtime loss at Pittsburgh.
That puts them on pace for about 102 points.
The Red Wings (24-14-4) have their best record through 42 games since 2014-15 (22-11-9). They lead the Eastern Conference with 52 points, though Tampa Bay Carolina, who have 51 each, have two games in hand.
Their first-half success results in their finest midterm report card in at least a decade:
A utility forward who has been effective moving up and down the lineup with his forechecking ability, defensive play, penalty killing and some secondary scoring.
His production has declined significantly from his first season in Detroit two years ago (19 goals, 48 points). He has no goals and four assists in the past 17 games. On the flip side, he is one of their leading forwards on the improved PK.
It’s been like two seasons in one. He struggled at the start with just one goal in 27 games. He’s since found a good fit centering the second line with Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane and has 13 points in 15 games. He’s been their best faceoff man (54.2 percent).
Rookie center has shown flashes of his skill and playmaking after being promoted from Grand Rapids on Nov. 9. The next step is finding consistency. He might have made the NHL roster after the preseason if not for an injury.
He heats up and scores goals in bunches and has a chance for 40 after scoring 39 last season. He might also top his career-high of 78 points.
Former seventh-round pick surprised by earning a roster spot in the preseason with his skating ability and offensive game. He’s shown he belongs on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond.
The 37-year-old future Hall-of-Fame is still dangerous with the puck, averaging nearly a point a game. Problem is he’s been injured twice, missing 15 games, forcing him to restart a couple of times, which isn’t easy.
An inexplicably disastrous first half for a center/winger who showed much promise as a rookie with his skill and competitiveness. Nothing seems to be working. Can he repeat his breakout second half of last season?
He’s having another consistently strong season, well on pace for his fifth consecutive 30-goal season and might even top his career-best 33. He continues to step up in big moments and lead.
The ninth overall pick from 2017 hasn’t taken that step the team hoped for, regressing the past two seasons. He’s been inconsistent and hasn’t made an impact on many nights, causing him to be scratched a couple of times.
He’s become a bit more of a playmaker, on pace to top last season’s career-highs of 53 assists and 80 points. He’s also a plus player for the first time in his career.
The 6-8 winger hasn’t found a way to better utilize his size – as a physical player, net presence or consistent forechecker. He hasn’t provided secondary scoring and might continue to be a frequent scratch.
Seemed to take this 17-year NHL veteran some time to get comfortable after missing training camp. Still effective at the net front and capable of contributing offense with a recent stretch of nine goals in 15 games.
Stay-at-home defender who provides some physicality and kills penalties. Needs to be more consistent to avoid rotating out of that third-pair spot.
His fourth season with the team has been his best. He’s played consistently well. He’s physical and hard to play against. That’s what the team needs from someone playing alongside rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka.
He’s meshed seamlessly on the top pairing with Moritz Seider, matching up well against top lines. He even provides offense with his good shot, despite seeing little power play time.
Teammates appreciate the 14-year NHL veteran sticking up for them, but it’s been a struggle defensively, causing him to be scratched more often than he’s played.
He stepped up as a rookie while playing on the second pairing the second half of last season with Edvinsson but hasn’t been as strong on the third pair this season without Edvinsson as his partner.
Mobile, puck-moving D-man has displayed his offensive skills, which will continue to grow. He must also grow his defensive game and learn ways to be more effective at his size (6-0, 186).
He’s taken his game to an even higher level, offensively and defensively. He’s on pace to post his highest scoring totals and continues to do it all – log the most minutes, play the toughest matchups, man the first units on both specialty teams. He’s never missed an NHL game.
He had a tremendous December, going 9-1-0 with a 2.21 goals-against average, .927 save percentage and two shutouts. It was quite the contrast from his first 13 games (5-7-1, 3.59 GAA, .865 save percentage).
The league’s second-oldest goalie is having a solid season at age 38. He stepped up in October and November when Gibson was struggling. He continues to give the team a chance to win while playing less in a backup role.
Coach Todd McLellan and staff: A
After parachuting in midseason a year ago, McLellan has a better handle on his personnel and has instilled confidence and belief in a team that’s missed the playoffs nine years in a row. The Red Wings are winning close games and winning in different ways. December was the first month they didn’t lose back-to-back games since January 2024.
