Detroit Red Wings Eliminated from Playoff Race, Extending Decade-Long Drought
The Detroit Red Wings’ hopes for a postseason return ended in heartbreak on Saturday, April 11, 2026. A 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils at Little Caesars Arena officially eliminated Detroit from Stanley Cup Playoff contention, extending the franchise’s postseason drought to 10 consecutive seasons.
- Final Score: New Jersey Devils 5, Detroit Red Wings 3.
- The Drought: Detroit has now missed the playoffs for 10 straight seasons, the longest active drought in the NHL.
- The Turning Point: Detroit led in all three periods but failed to hold any of those leads.
- Key Performers: Jesper Bratt scored twice for New Jersey; Justin Faulk, David Perron, and Emmitt Finnie scored for Detroit.
A Collapse in the Third Period
The game remained competitive until the final frame, where the Devils’ transition game proved too much for the Red Wings. Despite holding a 3-2 lead entering the third period, Detroit surrendered three goals to fall behind. Cody Glass tied the game at 11:18, and Jesper Bratt netted the head-ahead goal at 16:26 following a 2-on-1 break set up by Jack Hughes.
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin took personal responsibility for Bratt’s decisive goal, noting that he failed to cover for Simon Edvinsson when the defenseman pinched in, allowing two opposing players to break past him.
The Weight of a Decade
This elimination marks a significant psychological blow for a franchise that once defined NHL dominance. According to ESPN, the Red Wings’ drought dates back to the 2016 season, which concluded a legendary run of 25 consecutive playoff appearances and four Stanley Cup championships.
The 2025-26 season felt different for a long stretch. Sportradar reports that Detroit remained in a playoff position for 148 days. By January 25, the Red Wings were 32-16-5 and actually led the Atlantic Division by one point over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although, a late-season slide—going 9-14-4 since that date—ultimately sealed their fate.
“We did a lot of great things and put ourselves in a really good position… But when it gets tight, we come up short,” said captain Dylan Larkin.
Game Breakdown and Statistics
The Devils’ offense was sparked by Jesper Bratt, who recorded two goals and an assist. Jack Hughes too contributed a goal and an assist, including the primary assist on Bratt’s second goal. Dawson Mercer added an empty-netter to finalize the 5-3 score.
Player Performance Summary
| Category | Detroit Red Wings | New Jersey Devils |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 3 | 5 |
| Saves | 27 (John Gibson) | 25 (Jake Allen) |
| Season Record | 41-30-9 | 41-36-3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has it been since the Red Wings made the playoffs?
The Red Wings have missed the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons. Their last appearance was during the 2015-16 season, where they were defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.
Who is the only current Red Wing to have played in a playoff game for Detroit?
Dylan Larkin is the only current player on the roster to have played in the playoffs with the team, appearing in five games during the 2015-16 campaign.
Looking Ahead
Coach Todd McLellan acknowledged the disappointment, noting that the team played well enough for the majority of the season before faltering in the final month. As the Red Wings enter the off-season, the focus will likely shift toward addressing the team’s inability to close out games and maintain consistency during the high-pressure stretch of the schedule.
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