Red Wings on Lucas Raymond’s big night that stoked playoff chase
Detroit Red Wings Lucas Raymond, JT Compher & Derek Lalonde, April 15, 2024 in Detroit.
The Detroit Red Wings’ gutsy comeback victory in overtime on Monday narrows their path to the playoffs.
At the simplest, if the Wings win Tuesday in Montreal, and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Washington Capitals, the Wings lock up the second wild-card in the Eastern Conference and a first-round date with the New York Rangers. The series is expected to start Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
A victory would give the Wings 91 points. If the Capitals win, they would also reach 91 points, and that would eliminate the Wings because the Capitals have 31 regulation victories to Detroit’s 27.
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If the Wings get one point to reach 90, and the Capitals get one point, then it’s over for the Wings. If the Wings get one point and the Flyers win in regulation, then the Wings would have to wait out the outcome of Wednesday’s game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders. If the Penguins win, they reach 90 points, and they again have the tie breaker on Detroit with 32 regulation wins.
Coach Derek Lalonde said months ago it would come down to Game 82 – and here the Wings are.
“It just felt that way all along,” he said. “I can’t speak enough on the guys. This was the 13th game in which we were trailing in the third, and we got two full points. We talked about it after the second. I give the guys a ton of credit to hang in there and to find a way. They’ve done it all year.”
