Honestly, if you've been a Detroit fan for the last decade, you're probably waiting for the other shoe to drop. We've seen this movie before—the flashes of brilliance followed by a February slump that kills every ounce of hope. But as of January 18, 2026, the red wings wild card standings situation isn't just a "maybe." It is a "definitely."
Detroit currently sits with 62 points through 49 games. They aren't just clinging to a Wild Card spot; they’re actually fighting for the number two seed in the Atlantic Division. They are tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning at 62 points, though Tampa has a few games in hand. It’s tight. It’s messy. It’s exactly what Hockeytown has been starving for since 2016.
The Current State of the Red Wings Wild Card Standings
Right now, the Eastern Conference is a total meat grinder. You’ve got the Hurricanes leading the Metro with 64 points, and then a massive logjam behind them. If the season ended today, the Red Wings wouldn't even need a Wild Card spot—they’d be the second seed in the Atlantic. But in the NHL, things change fast. A three-game losing streak can bounce you from a comfortable divisional seed down to the "bubble" in less than a week.
The teams breathing down their necks for those red wings wild card standings spots are familiar foes. The Boston Bruins (58 points) and Buffalo Sabres (57 points) currently hold the two Wild Card positions. Just behind them, the Toronto Maple Leafs are lurking with 56 points. One bad weekend and Detroit could be looking at the playoff line from the wrong side.
Why the Tiebreakers Actually Matter This Time
Steve Yzerman has built this roster to be resilient, but the math is still scary. In the NHL, if points are tied, the first tiebreaker is Regulation Wins (RW). Detroit has 21. That’s solid, but compared to Tampa’s 23, it shows why every 60-minute win is worth its weight in gold.
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If they do slide into the Wild Card conversation, they need to stay ahead of teams like Washington and Florida. The Panthers have been inconsistent but are always dangerous in the second half of the season.
What’s Powering the Surge?
It isn't just one guy. It’s the depth.
Alex DeBrincat is playing like a man possessed, sitting at 50 points (25 goals, 25 assists). Then you have Dylan Larkin, the heartbeat of the team, who has 43 points and is a +32 on the ice. That +/- rating is insane. It tells you that when the captain is out there, good things happen and the puck stays out of Detroit's net.
Then there's the kids.
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Simon Edvinsson and Moritz Seider are arguably the best young defensive duo in the league. Seider is eating 24 minutes a night, blocking shots, and physically punishing anyone who enters the zone. Edvinsson has finally found his rhythm, making those long-striding exits out of the defensive zone look effortless.
- Lucas Raymond: 52 points (leading the team)
- Alex DeBrincat: 25 goals
- John Gibson: Holding a .903 save percentage since coming over
The addition of John Gibson in net has been the quietest "steal" of the season. Before Gibson, Detroit was flip-flopping between "okay" goaltending and "oh no" goaltending. Now? They have a guy who can actually steal a game when the defense has a lapse.
The Schedule Ahead: Danger Zones
The Red Wings are in the middle of a home stand, and today’s game against the Ottawa Senators is a big one. Ottawa is desperate. They have 50 points and are technically in the hunt, but they’re 12 points back of Detroit. If the Wings win this, they effectively bury a divisional rival.
The real test comes in February. Detroit has a West Coast swing that includes Colorado and Vegas. Those are the games that define a season. If they can come out of that trip with a .500 record, they’ll stay at the top of the red wings wild card standings or, better yet, keep their divisional seed.
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Misconceptions About the "Rebuild"
People keep saying the "Yzer-plan" is taking too long. Is it? Look at the roster. Nearly every key contributor is under 30. The prospect pool is still ranked in the top five. This isn't a "one-and-done" playoff run. This is the start of a window.
The biggest risk right now isn't talent; it's health. We saw Patrick Kane miss some time earlier this year, and while he's back and has 28 points in 34 games, the Wings can't afford to lose their veteran leadership during the stretch run.
Real Insights for the Playoff Push
If you are tracking the red wings wild card standings daily, stop looking at just the points. Look at the Games Played (GP). Detroit has played 49 games. Most of the teams they are fighting with, like Montreal and Boston, have also played 49. But Tampa has only played 46.
Those "games in hand" are basically ghost points. If Tampa wins those three extra games, they pull six points ahead. That's why Detroit needs to focus on winning in regulation. Avoiding the "loser point" for their opponents is just as important as getting the two points themselves.
What You Should Do Now
- Watch the "RW" Column: Points get you in, but Regulation Wins keep you there if things get tied at the end of April.
- Monitor the Trade Deadline: Yzerman isn't usually a "rental" guy, but if a young defenseman becomes available to help Seider, don't be surprised if he pulls the trigger.
- Check the Out-of-Town Scoreboard: You're a Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs hater for the next three months. Every time they lose, Detroit's path becomes easier.
The Red Wings are finally relevant in January. Enjoy it. The atmosphere at Little Caesars Arena is finally starting to feel like the old Joe Louis Arena days, and if they keep this pace, playoff hockey will be back in Detroit this spring.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the Atlantic Division's goal differential. Detroit's +3 is a bit thin compared to Tampa's +43, suggesting the Wings are winning a lot of close, one-goal games. Tightening up the defensive zone during the second period—where they've historically struggled this year—will be the difference between a top-three seed and a stressful Wild Card battle.