The Red Wings Are Officially Eliminated From Playoff Contention

After their loss to the Montreal Canadiens tonight, the Detroit Red Wings are officially and mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

The elimination is due to a combination of the Wings loss and also the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-4 win over the Boston Bruins. The Wings are the second team this season to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs after the Ottawa Senators dropped out of contention over the weekend. This will be the third straight season that the Red Wings will not play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They will be a serious contender in the Jack Hughes sweepstakes at this year’s NHL draft.

The lottery date has yet to be announced, but here’s a quick simulation from tankathon.com in the meantime that has the Red Wings picking 3rd overall:

Not the result we’re hoping for this year, but at least it’s top three, which is higher than the Red Wings have picked in a very, very long time.