Sport Bilder des Tages DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 26: Detroit Red Wings goaltender Thomas Greiss 29 blocks a shot from Dallas Stars left wing Rhett Gardner 49 during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Detroit Red Wings on January 26, 2021 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA JAN 26 Red Wings at Stars Icon169210126058
Sport Bilder des Tages DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 26: Detroit Red Wings goaltender Thomas Greiss 29 blocks a shot from Dallas Stars left wing Rhett Gardner 49 during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Detroit Red Wings on January 26, 2021 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA JAN 26 Red Wings at Stars Icon169210126058
The Detroit Red Wings were officially eliminated from playoff contention after a disappointing loss to the New Jersey Devils. Despite leading at one stage, the Red Wings lost their way and suffered a 5-3 defeat. This means the team has gone a decade without going into the playoffs.
After the clock ticked out, boos from the franchise fans echoed all around the building.
It is now the longest streak in their history. and also the longest active NHL streak ever, as the Buffalo Sabres reached the playoffs last season after failing to reach that stage for 14 years.
After the game, players gathered at center ice to honor a longtime radio analyst, Paul Woods, who is retiring after this season. While fans cheered for Woods, more boos could also be heard directed at the team.
In the game against the Devils, the Wings were even leading 3-2 at one stage. But Bratt and Co. won it for the Devils, thus showing the weakness the Wings had in their defense.
“That’s What We Earned” - Detroit Red Wings Coach on Fans Reaction
After the game, the Detroit Red Wings coach, Todd McLellan, talked about the reactions the team had received after losing the game.
“Those are our fans in our building, and they pay to watch us play, and we get paid well to perform for them, and they’re fully entitled to their opinion, and we deserve their opinion," said McLellan. "There’s no other way to sugarcoat it. That’s what we earned.”
McLellan acknowledged the fans' passion to see the team win.
“This is Detroit. This is Hockeytown. I’ve been lucky enough to be on the other side of it when they couldn’t stop cheering for this team, and they’re dying for that," he added. "They crave that. That’s what they want. I don’t even know if they want a Stanley Cup championship anymore. They just want a team that’s going to come and give them something to cheer about."
The frustration all around can be expected after yet another poor run by the Wings in the NHL 2025-26. This comes as further disappointment as they were leading the standings at the midway point of the season.
Looking ahead, the Red Wings’ front office will likely evaluate roster depth, defensive consistency, and late-game performances.
Read more at NHL Fan Central!
Written by
Kapil Manghnani
Edited by
Godwin Issac Mathew