Red Wings Eliminated from Playoffs After Devils Loss

The Detroit Red Wings were mathematically eliminated from the NHL playoffs on Saturday after a 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils at Little Caesars Arena, extending the franchise's postseason drought to 10 consecutive seasons, the longest active streak in the league.

The defeat capped a stunning late-season collapse for a team that had held a playoff position for nearly 80 percent of the 2025-26 regular season. In late January, Detroit was tied for first in the Eastern Conference with a 32-16-5 record. Even after slipping, the Red Wings remained in contention for a wild-card spot as late as March 21. However, they won just six of their final 19 games, including three of their last 11, allowing other teams to surpass them in the standings. The loss to New Jersey was particularly deflating, as Detroit surrendered leads in the first, second and third periods. The Devils' Jesper Bratt scored the go-ahead goal on an odd-man rush in the third, assisted by Jack Hughes, before adding an empty-netter to seal the outcome.

Fans expressed their frustration by booing the team as it left the ice, a reaction that head coach Todd McLellan acknowledged in his postgame remarks. "This is Detroit....