Red Wings Look to Extend Home Win Streak Against Struggling Senators
The Detroit Red Wings will look to strengthen their playoff position when they host the Ottawa Senators on Sunday evening, with both teams fighting for positioning in the increasingly competitive Atlantic Division.
Detroit enters the matchup as favorites, riding momentum from a dominant 4-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Friday. The Red Wings have won five of their last six games and sit in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 29-16-4 record, just two points ahead of Montreal. For Detroit, every win matters as the organization pursues its first playoff berth since 2016.
“It’s a tight race,” Detroit goaltender John Gibson said after practice Saturday. “You’ve got to win every night. You can’t have losing streaks. There’s a little bit of pressure on us but we want it.”
Senators Battle Emotional Letdown
The Senators arrive in the Motor City with a bitter taste from Saturday’s 6-5 overtime loss to Montreal. Ottawa held a commanding 5-3 lead late in regulation before surrendering two goals in the final five minutes of play. The defeat snapped a two-game winning streak and dropped the Senators to 22-19-6, sitting seven points outside a playoff position.
“Our team can hang their head or they can be mad. I’d rather us be mad,” coach Travis Green said of the overtime loss. “You’ve got to come back and play the next one and that’s what we’re looking at.”
Key Performers Setting the Tone
Lucas Raymond leads the Red Wings in scoring with 14 goals and 38 assists, while defenseman Jake Sanderson continues to anchor Ottawa’s offense with 10 goals and 29 assists. Sanderson recorded four points in Saturday’s loss to Montreal but couldn’t prevent the Canadiens’ comeback.
Detroit’s recent form has been dominant, with the team posting a 7-2-1 record over their last 10 games while averaging 3.1 goals per night. Ottawa has struggled comparatively at 4-5-1 during the same stretch, giving up 3.9 goals per game.
Playoff Implications
For the Red Wings, Sunday’s contest represents a crucial opportunity to create distance between themselves and the playoff bubble. Detroit’s consistent recent performance has positioned them as a legitimate contender, though the margin for error remains minimal in the Atlantic Division.
Ottawa’s campaign to climb back into playoff contention faces increasing urgency. With a 12-point gap separating them from Detroit and limited games remaining in the regular season, the Senators must find consistency and bounce back quickly from emotionally draining defeats.
The betting line favors Detroit at -137, reflecting the Red Wings’ recent dominance and home-ice advantage at Little Caesars Arena.
