Detroit Red Wings in Historically Bad Territory as They are Set to Break 44 Year Old Abysmal Record
The Detroit Red Wings have done little to impress fans so far this season, yet after their recent loss to the New Jersey Devils, this may turn around quickly for all the wrong reasons.
For a team that just narrowly missed a Wild Card spot in the last playoffs to the Washington Capitals, the Detroit Red Wings have had a weak first quarter of the 2024-25 NHL regular season.
After winning less than half of their games so far, Detroit has only earned 22 of 46 possible points, placing them at 23rd in the league.
However, last night's game against the New Jersey Devils left one weakness in their game at an all-time low: their penalty kill.
After securing a two-point lead, Detroit seemed to have fully fumbled their chances at improving this stat in just nine seconds of the power play.
Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde then challenged the goal for goalie interference but was ruled against, giving the Devils the chance to set up for their second power-play goal of the night.
With a four-minute double-minor starting the final period, New Jersey was able to easily take one more crack at Detroit's penalty kill, with Jack Hughes successfully scoring a power-play goal three of four times in one night and winning the game.
To add to the shame of a 5-4 loss, the Red Wings have dipped under the 1979-80 Los Angeles Kings' worst all-time penalty-kill record, sitting at a less-than-two-thirds success rate.
The Red Wings will have the chance to improve their penalty kill against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, December First.
Though nearly three-quarters of the regular season still lies ahead, it may still be a tough road ahead if Detroit wants to recover from this historic low.
