Toronto — The Red Wings began their holiday break Monday thankful for a great many things — but not necessarily the NHL standings.
For the most part, those have the lump of coal effect.
The current stretch which has seen the Wings win only once in seven games (1-4-2) has dropped the Wings to 12th in the Eastern Conference.
Detroit (15-17-6, 36 points) is eight points from climbing into a wild-card spot past Montreal. But the Wings are only five points from tying New Jersey at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Instead of playoffs, fans again are pointing to the late February trade deadline and adding assets.