NHL Power Rankings: What’s wrong with the Red Wings?

The Red Wings haven’t missed the playoffs since 1991, and while it’s early, things aren’t looking pretty right now.

Let’s start out by saying, if the playoffs started today, yes, they would qualify as a wild card under the NHL’s new format, with 25 points. But they have nine wins and 13 losses (seven have come after regulation — in the playoffs, you don’t get points for that).

Their last win was Nov. 2, 5-0 over the Oilers, and since then have lost five one-goal games and two two-goal games. They have scored 16 goals and allowed 25 over the losing streak. Jimmy Howard hasn’t been at his best, allowing three or more goals in five of seven games. And Henrik Zetterberg has scored in one of Detroit’s past six.

While the Red Wings were supposed to have an easier time in the Eastern Conference, they have five wins in 11 conference games and also have struggled against their former rivals with a 4-4-3 mark versus Western Conference teams. Detroit has 60 games left to right the ship and continue its postseason streak, but the Red Wings will need to play better.

(Last week’s rankings in parentheses)

1. Blackhawks (4): True, they have lost two of three by a combined score of 12-3, but they also dominated the Sharks – one of the highest scoring teams in the league – 5-1, which is why the ‘Hawks are back on top.

2. Coyotes (3): The Coyotes continue to impress with points in 16 of their past 18 games. Not to mention their only losses in 10 games have come against the Blackhawks and Ducks, the top two teams in the Western Conference.

3. Avalanche (1): Ended a three-game losing streak with a 5-1 win over the Blackhawks. But allowing 14 goals in four games is a concern.

4. Blues (5): Alex Steen continues his torrid pace with 17 goals in 20 games. He has failed to score in just six games and failed to notch a point just three times.

5. Ducks (2): Lost all four games on a recent road trip, including to the Panthers and Hurricanes, but now return for two games at home, where they are 8-0-0.

6. Bruins (7): Tuukka Rask is the early favorite for the Vezina Trophy with 12 wins, a 1.61 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage. He stopped 43 shots in a 2-1 win over the Rangers on Tuesday.

7. Sharks (8): Were playing well, but came down to earth with a 5-1 loss to the Blackhawks on Sunday. The four-goal loss was their worst this season, as six of their eight losses have been by one goal.

8. Kings (13): The injury to Jonathan Quick has let Ben Scrivens start, and, boy, has he been good. A 190-minute shutout streak was snapped in Tuesday’s 5-2 win over the Lightning, but Scrivens is 4-0 and has allowed just two goals since taking over.

9. Wild (11): The 6-2 loss to the Canadiens on Tuesday marked the first time all month the Wild didn’t get a point. They had been 7-0-1.

10. Lightning (6): Coyotes and Kings beat them 6-3 and 5-2, respectively. It doesn’t get any easier with stops in San Jose and Anaheim.

11. Capitals (14): Beat the Blues 4-1 Sunday despite getting outshot 47-20, but in most games, those stats won’t result in a win.

12. Penguins (10): When Sidney Crosby has three points in six games, it’s not a surprise Pittsburgh is 2-4 over that span.

13. Maple Leafs (12): Started off a five-game homestand with wins over the Sabres and Islanders. It took ex-Devil David Clarkson 11 games, but he finally got his first goal in that 5-2 win over the Isles.

14. Stars (15): They are 6-1-1 in their past eight games in large part thanks to Tyler Seguin, who has seven goals and four assists in that time.

15. Canucks (9): Five straight losses for the Canucks. On the bright side, that should make for some classic Tortorella press conferences.

16. Canadiens (17): Beat the Wild, 6-2, on Tuesday, but haven’t had back-to-back wins since Oct. 28 and 29.

17. Predators (19): Had an awful road trip, but bounced back with big wins over the Blackhawks (7-2!) and Red Wings (2-0).

18. Red Wings (16): It’s getting ugly in Detroit, where the Red Wings have not won at home in eight games (0-6-2). Their seven-game winless streak overall is also the worst in 11 seasons.

19. Rangers (18): Fun fact: The Rangers have been involved in five consecutive one-goal games, winning two. Now they embark on a five-game road trip, which will seem like nothing compared to the nine-game, three-week trip they had to start the season.

20. Devils (23): Impressive 4-1 win against the Penguins on Saturday, but now head out West for a three-game California road trip. Their last Western trip ended with no wins and five losses.

21. Senators (24): Bobby Ryan has fit in just fine in Ottawa with 20 points in 21 games.

22. Islanders (20): The Islanders have allowed four goals or more in five of eight games, and the defense has been awful. Not looking much like last season’s playoff team.

23. Flyers (26): Remember how captain Claude Giroux said, amid a wretched start, they would make the playoffs? Well, the Flyers are only two points back of third place in the Metropolitan Division, which is playoff position.

24. Jets (22): Eight of their 13 losses have been by one goal.

25. Hurricanes (21): Cam Ward, who missed 10 games with a groin injury, returned Monday to allow three goals on 29 shots as the ‘Canes lost 4-1 to the Bruins. He should get the bulk of the starts as long as he stays healthy.

26. Blue Jackets (25): Still can’t figure this team out. They’ve already had a three-, four- and five-game losing streak, and a 7-0 loss to the Oilers on Tuesday was just unacceptable.

27. Sabres (28): They may have the fewest points in the league (11), but the Sabres are playing better. Matt Moulson, acquired from the Islanders last month, has nine points in 10 games.

28. Flames (27): Hard to believe they were 3-0-2 at one point. Despite a 5-4 shootout win against the Jets on Monday to end a six-game losing streak, the Flames are 7-11-3.

29. Panthers (30): The last time prior to Tuesday that Tim Thomas was in Vancouver, he hoisted the Stanley Cup for the Bruins in 2010. Well, he also stymied the Canucks this time, making 27 saves in a 3-2 shootout win.

30. Oilers (29): Some things just don’t make sense. Like the Oilers’ 7-0 whooping of the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. But they are still the worst team in the league.