The Red Wings are still winning — but the path hasn’t been clean.

In this extended episode of Red Wings Rant, we break down a critical stretch that includes back-to-back losses to Pittsburgh, a controversial but important win over Ottawa, and what those games reveal about where Detroit actually stands.

The Wings were thoroughly out-chanced against the Penguins at five-on-five, posting just a 38.4% expected-goals share. Against Ottawa, they flipped the script on the scoreboard — despite MoneyPuck giving them only a 27% chance to win — by capitalizing on mistakes, special teams, and timely goaltending.

That contrast leads to the real question: not “is it sustainable?” — but how good teams find ways to survive when they don’t have their best game.

We dig into:

• Why Detroit’s underlying numbers vs. Pittsburgh are more concerning than the final scores • Todd McLellan’s blunt assessment of what went wrong — and what must improve • Why Ottawa was the perfect “response test” opponent • What winning ugly actually tells us about structure, goaltending, and maturity • Growing concerns around the top line of Larkin, Raymond, and Emmitt Finnie • Whether Finnie’s stamina is catching up and if it’s time for a new look • Marco Kasper’s role — and whether a reset in Grand Rapids makes sense • Andrew Copp’s December surge as Detroit’s unsung stabilizer • How Moritz Seider’s all-around impact continues to anchor this team • Trade deadline pressure and why Detroit should be part of impact conversations • Two potential fits if the Wings choose to be aggressive: Alex Tuch and Justin Faulk • Why Heated Rivalry matters for hockey culture — and why this conversation belongs in the sport right now

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Let’s have fun!

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The Red Wings are rolling — and Moritz Seider is driving the bus.

In this short pre-game episode before puck drop against the Stars, we break down Detroit’s back-to-back wins over the Washington Capitals, capped by Seider’s overtime game-winner and another dominant weekend from Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond.

The Wings are now first in the Atlantic by points and points percentage, tied for third-most regulation wins in the Eastern Conference, and — most importantly — winning games the right way, not by sneaking into overtime.

5-on-5 (Dec 1–23):

• 10.44% shooting percentage
• 92.47% save percentage
• 1.029 PDO (top-tier puck luck and performance)

• 12.62% shooting percentage
• 91.29% save percentage
• 1.039 PDO

• 4th-best high-danger save percentage in the NHL
• Best medium-danger shooting percentage in the league

• Why the Washington wins matter against one of the NHL’s elite defensive teams
• Moritz Seider leading the entire NHL in Goals Above Replacement (GAR)
  • What GAR actually measures
  • Why it belongs in the Norris and Hart Trophy conversation
• Andrew Copp’s resurgence since returning from core surgery and stabilizing the second line
• DeBrincat and Raymond producing at a true point-per-game pace
• A quick look at John Leonard’s hot start, what’s real, and what will cool off

Red Wings Rant: Where tirades and impassioned pleas about your Detroit Red Wings finally have a home.

JOIN THE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/rd2RUDkzuS

Let’s have fun!

Sponsored by Draft Kings!

Find us on your favorite Podcast App by clicking here: https://link.chtbl.com/redwingsrant

Episode sponsored by Draft Kings. Use promo code 'THPN' to unlock exclusive offers when you sign up!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Red Wings are back in first place in the Atlantic — but the path there hasn’t been clean.

This week on Red Wings Rant, we break down a wildly successful West Coast road trip, including shutout wins in Vancouver and Chicago, a statement victory over the Islanders, and why the Utah Mammoth loss looks more like a fatigue-driven anomaly than a warning sign.

December has quietly become Detroit’s regression-to-the-mean month, with top-tier PDO, shooting percentage, and goaltending metrics finally catching up to the underlying play. But the biggest conversation looms larger than any single game.

Did the Red Wings miss a once-in-a-decade opportunity by not landing Quinn Hughes?

Using reporting from Max Bultman, Sean Shapiro, Elliotte Friedman, and Pierre LeBrun, we dive into what the Hughes non-trade says about Steve Yzerman’s risk tolerance, the value of elite stars versus prospect depth, and whether Detroit is doing enough to capitalize on Dylan Larkin’s prime years.

This is the most honest Red Wings conversation yet — the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable middle.

Red Wings Rant: Where tirades and impassioned pleas about your Detroit Red Wings finally have a home.

JOIN THE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/rd2RUDkzuS

Let’s have fun!

Sponsored by Draft Kings!

Find us on your favorite Podcast App by clicking here: https://link.chtbl.com/redwingsrant

Episode sponsored by Draft Kings. Use promo code 'THPN' to unlock exclusive offers when you sign up!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.