Red Wings Still in Peril after Surviving Home Cooking Following the Nov. 18 loss in San Jose, the Red Wings season appeared doomed. A coaching change felt inevitable. The playoffs seemed a pipe dream. The "Yzer-plan," already a source of unwelcome imagination [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day/fear-imagining-and-the-state-of-the-yzer-plan] by the end of October, had never seemed in such peril. Detroit had a run of five games at home out of six to try to salvage the season. Following yesterday afternoon's OT defeat to Vancouver [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day/debrusk-hat-trick-sinks-red-wings-in-5-4-ot-loss-to-canucks], the Red Wings wrapped up that six-game stretch with a 3-2-1 record. Detroit sits 14th in the Eastern Conference—four points from the cellar and four points from a playoff position in the East's muddy middle class. With three wins and the OT loss, the Red Wings managed to survive and crawl up from what had been rock bottom following the winless California trip. However, the present position remains profoundly precarious for two reasons. Dec 1, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso (35) makes a save in the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at Little Caesars Arena [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExMTE1NDY2OTgxMTIzNTcy/usatsi_24887521.jpg] Dec 1, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso (35) makes a save in the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at Little Caesars Arena First, as of this writing, goaltenders Alex Lyon and Cam Talbot are both out injured. Though neither was at their best in California, their combined play (and Talbot's in particular) is the biggest reason Detroit has any shred of hope at this stage of the season at all. Lyon will not travel on the Red Wings' upcoming two-game road trip, while an update on Talbot's status won't come until after today's practice. If either, or especially both, are out for a prolonged period, Detroit's predicament immediately becomes far greater. Nov 27, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot (39) looks on during the first period against the Calgary Flames at Little Caesars Arena [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExMTE1MzA5Njc3OTQ2MzU2/usatsi_24865263.jpg] Nov 27, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot (39) looks on during the first period against the Calgary Flames at Little Caesars Arena Second, the penalty kill (now 65.2%, dead last in the NHL) remains disastrous. In the three losses during this last run of six games, the Red Wings gave up two power play goals against the Canucks, two against the Devils, and one in a 2-1 loss to the Bruins. For a team with profound offensive struggles at five-on-five, it simply isn't possible to absorb that. Now, the Red Wings will play four of their next five on the road, and they will likely need better than just survival to keep reasonable hopes alive. In the featured video above, I discussed Detroit's perilous position. ALSO FROM THN DETROIT DeBrusk Hat Trick Sinks Red Wings in 5-4 OT Loss to Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day/debrusk-hat-trick-sinks-red-wings-in-5-4-ot-loss-to-canucks] Ex-Red Wings Blueliner Found Perfect Fit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/ex-red-wings-blueliner-found-perfect-fit] Red Wings Need More From New Sniper [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/red-wings-need-more-from-new-sniper] Red Wings AHLer Uses Wrestling Move On Opponent [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/red-wings-ahler-uses-wrestling-move-on-opponent] Stars Shine Through as Red Wings Come from Behind to Beat Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day/stars-shine-through-as-red-wings-come-from-behind-to-beat-islanders] Red Wings Goalie Becoming Excellent Trade Target [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/red-wings-goalie-becoming-excellent-trade-target] "Today's NHL, You're Developing on the Fly": Inside the Learning Curves for Red Wings Rookies Kasper & Johansson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day/todays-nhl-youre-developing-on-the-fly-inside-the-learning-curves-for-red-wings-rookies-kasper-johansson]
