Continuing to lose over the final 10 games will help the Detroit Red Wings in the 2023 NHL draft lottery, from an organizational standpoint.
But as players keep pointing out: It’s way more fun to win.
Given the strength of their schedule, fun will be challenging to have. This week offers four tests: Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes, Friday at the Winnipeg Jets, and Sunday at the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Penguins are battling to secure a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference; the Hurricanes are battling to secure home-ice advantage through the first two rounds, the Jets have positioning at stake in the Western Conference playoff race, and the Leafs also have home-ice at stake.