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Red Wings in First Place: Real Contenders or Just Hot for 20 Games?

5d ago 47:55

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The Red Wings reached the 20-game mark in first place in the Atlantic Division. But does the record match the reality?

This week on Red Wings Rant, we break down:

The Wings’ best shutdown third period of the season • Todd McLellan’s message on game management — and why it matters • How Detroit blew a 4–1 lead, then responded with back-to-back wins • Why the stars (Larkin, DeBrincat, Raymond, Seider) are carrying this team • The rookies bounce back: Danielson, Finnie, ASP • Cam Talbot taking the starting job by force • John Gibson’s struggles and what it means for the season • Whether Detroit’s early success is sustainable

Plus: how the Wings compare across the NHL at the 20-game benchmark — and what comes next.

Red Wings Rant: Where tirades and impassioned pleas about your Detroit Red Wings finally have a home.

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Red Wings Rant — Episode Narrative (Nov 19)

“20 Games In: First Place… and Still Flawed?”

The Detroit Red Wings reached the 20-game mark in first place in the Atlantic Division — a sentence that would’ve sounded insane seven days ago, when this team was stuck in the mud, blowing leads, and wrestling with its identity.

And the wildest part?
Both versions of the Red Wings — the playoff version, and the meltdown version — showed up this week.

Last Week: A Test of Consistency

We said:

If the Wings could take advantage of a soft stretch — Ducks, Sabres, Rangers, Kraken — they could claw back into a strong position.

One week later?
They did exactly that.

They handled Anaheim,
threw away a 4–1 lead vs Buffalo but still got a point,
gutted out a win at MSG,
and closed out the Kraken with a mature, structured third period — something they haven’t done most of the season.

That’s growth. That’s progress.
But the path to get here still tells us a lot about the team.

Game Management: The New Buzzword That Actually Matters

Todd McLellan has hammered this theme all year:

“Until this group figures out what’s important at certain times, we’re going to have those nights.”

Against Buffalo?
Total collapse.
Against New York and Seattle?
Finally, the shutdown hockey he’s been begging for.

The Seattle third period wasn’t flashy — five shots allowed, perfect breakouts, clean faceoffs, pucks deep, smart changes.
It was the most professional 20 minutes this team has played this season.

This is what real playoff teams do.
But the challenge now is: Can it be repeated?

Stars Are Driving the Bus

Larkin, DeBrincat, and Raymond are all pacing career-level seasons:

Larkin: 600 points + scoring at a star level
Cat: Tenacious, complete, and reliable no matter the line
Raymond: Finally looking healthy — nine points in his last four

And Moritz Seider is quietly playing elite two-way hockey despite a few headline-grabbing mistakes.

The Rookies: High Impact, High Volatility

The 2023 class stole the show early, then went quiet… …and came roaring back against Seattle:

Danielson’s first NHL goal
Nearly another (called back)
Finnie’s power-play goal after Danielson set him up
ASP steadying after a rough stretch

These three have brought energy AND mistakes — but the energy has clearly returned to the lineup.

Goaltending: The Split Is Clear

Cam Talbot: +1 GSAX, making the saves Detroit needs Steady, calm, veteran presence

John Gibson:
11th-worst GSAX, sub-.875 save percentage
High-danger rebounds, bad-angle goals, and collapsing confidence around him

Detroit’s Jekyll-and-Hyde identity?
It’s not just game management.
It’s also which goalie is in the net.

20-Game Snapshot: The Good and The Questions

What’s working:

Stars producing
PK massively improved
Rookies making real contributions
Defensive improvements in structure
Third-period closure vs Seattle
In playoff position despite flaws
1st place in the division at the quarter-mark

What still needs answers:

Will this team ever find consistent scoring from the middle six?
Can Gibson turn it around?
Can they avoid the rookie wall?
Will they protect leads consistently?
Can they replicate the Seattle third period against real contenders?

This is a good team. It might even be a playoff team. But the story for the next 62 games is simple:

Are the Red Wings learning how to win? Or surviving despite themselves?

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Red Wings in First Place: Real Contenders or Just Hot for 20 Games?

Red Wings Rant Podcast

published 5d ago