In two weeks, the Detroit Red Wings will either be preparing for the playoffs for the first time in nine years – or for a long offseason. That's how little time they have left.
Between now and the end of the regular season on April 17 lies just eight games. The Wings were off Wednesday, offering a respite to recharge and reset mentally after their last game ended with them losing 2-1 in overtime, after being half a minute from a regulation victory. That left the Wings at 34-33-7 and with 75 points, four points out and three spots out of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.