The Detroit Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings] earned a much needed reset Monday night, defeating the New Jersey Devils 3–0 to halt a difficult stretch that saw the club lose seven of its previous ten games. The victory also marked the debuts and returns of several new faces. Recently acquired defenseman Justin Faulk made his first appearance with Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings], while call ups Dominik Shine and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard helped inject fresh energy into the lineup. The performance was enough to deliver two points in the standings, but Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings]knows it cannot afford for the win to be a one time response if it hopes to stay in the playoff picture. Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings]currently sits third in the Atlantic Division in the National Hockey League standings. The Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings] began the season near the top of the division but has gradually slid from first place to second and now to the third seed. At points during the slump the team even found itself clinging to a wild card spot, a scenario it hopes to avoid as the season enters its final stretch. Pressure from behind continues to build. The Montreal Canadiens trail Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings]by just one point, while the Boston Bruins sit only three points back. With the standings tightening, the margin for error is shrinking quickly for a Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings] team attempting to end a playoff drought that has stretched close to a decade. Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/] team site to stay connected to the latest news [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news], game-day [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day]coverage, and player features [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/players]. They will face an uphill battle with the fifth-hardest remaining strength of schedule in the league. Among the toughest tests ahead are two matchups with the Tampa Bay Lightning, along with single games against the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres and the Canadiens. Because of that challenging stretch, Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings]will need to take advantage of games against teams lower in the standings. Upcoming contests against the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames, along with a two game set against the Florida Panthers and three remaining games versus the Philadelphia Flyers, could prove crucial in determining their playoff fate. For the Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings], the shutout win over New Jersey provided a necessary boost. Maintaining that momentum may ultimately determine whether Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings]finally returns to the postseason or sees its playoff drought continue. Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwnuDfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] favorites! Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7580a307-e387-4cc9-86ee-6eeb7a5cf1a7.jpeg] For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
