Things went from bad to worse to soul-crushing for the Detroit Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings] on Tuesday night, as their playoff hopes took another significant hit in a lopsided 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The defeat marked yet another discouraging chapter in a difficult stretch for Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings]. Over their last 21 games, the Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings] have posted a 7-11-3 record, the third-worst mark in the NHL during that span. On a night when several teams around them in the playoff race also lost, Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings] failed to capitalize, leaving them still sitting two points outside of a wild card position. The playoff implications are becoming increasingly stark. According to MoneyPuck, the Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings]’ postseason odds dropped to a season-low 32.2 percent on Wednesday. That figure marks their lowest point since opening night, when their chances sat at 23.1 percent, underscoring just how far their outlook has slipped. Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings]’s remaining schedule does little to inspire confidence as it is considered one of the toughest in the league, featuring multiple matchups against surging opponents like the Philadelphia Flyers twice more, a team riding a wave of momentum after top prospect Porter Martone made his NHL debut Tuesday in a 6-4 loss to the Washington Capitals. 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]. Beyond Philadelphia, Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings]must also contend with a gauntlet that includes the Minnesota Wild, the red-hot New Jersey Devils, and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Their most critical showdown will be with the Columbus Blue Jackets and could ultimately define Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings]’s season. Columbus currently holds the wild card spot the Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings] are chasing, and a victory would give Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings]a direct opportunity to leapfrog them in the standings. With time running out, the margin for error has all but disappeared and if the Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings] hope to keep their playoff aspirations alive, they will need to reverse course quickly and begin turning close games into crucial wins before the window closes entirely. 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.