Detroit — When a little hot streak in mid-January modestly improved their playoff chances two Saturdays ago, CBC broadcaster Ron MacLean said, “Good to see the Red Wings back in it.”
When a team is pitied on “Hockey Night in Canada,” it is in trouble.
The Wings are in trouble.
Seven points out of the playoffs with three games in hand on the Bruins, they have 11 games before the Feb. 28 trade deadline.
Making up ground will be tough: Only one game is against a division or conference rival for the playoffs.