The Detroit Red Wings ended their 2024–25 season the way they’ve played much of the year—gritty, determined, and just short of glory.
With a final record of 39–35–8 (86 points), the Wings showed flashes of promise but ultimately fell short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the ninth straight season. The final blow came on April 17, in a dramatic 4–3 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs—a game that encapsulated the resilience and frustration of a team that refuses to quit but can’t quite cross the finish line.
Ironically, the Red Wings saved their best hockey for the end. In their penultimate game, they dismantled the playoff-bound New Jersey Devils with a dominant 5–2 victory, showing the kind of spark fans have long hoped would ignite a full-season turnaround.
Yet, as the final buzzer sounded in Toronto, the sting of another year without postseason play settled in. The locker room was silent, the hope of spring hockey once again deferred to another offseason.
Now, all eyes turn to General Manager Steve Yzerman and the decisions that will shape the future. With key veterans like Patrick Kane considering a return and a hungry core led by Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat, the question looms large: Can the Red Wings finally break through in 2025–26?
One thing is certain—Hockeytown is tired of waiting.
