DETROIT – One year ago, the Detroit Red Wings were 16 points out of first place, coming off back-to-back losses to Montreal and on the verge of firing coach Derek Lalonde.

Today, they’re leading the Atlantic Division, coming off back-to-back victories over Washington and have a renewed confidence and swagger as coach Todd McLellan approaches his one-year anniversary on the job.

The culture has changed dramatically in 12 months.

It showed this past weekend with their moms in town. First, one of their most complete 60-minute efforts of the season resulted in a 5-2 win on the road. A day later they overcame a sluggish start to win 3-2 on Moritz Seider’s overtime goal, with a lineup that wasn’t necessarily the best they could have dressed.

“We ask players to trust us as an organization, as a staff, and we have to pay that back to them, too,” McLellan said. “We have to trust that they can all play or they shouldn’t be here. So, when we get into this type of situation, we believed in everybody that’s here. We gave everybody a chance to play in front of their moms. I know some would say, well, it’s the NHL. You don’t do that. Well, sometimes you do. And I think each of them will walk out of here happy.

“Some got to play two games in front of their mom, some one. But the win and all the smiles on their faces, they’ll go home tonight and have some fun. And that’s way better than having one or two of them walk around and not feel like they belong. So, I think it’s important. I think the culture part of it is huge. Been on many of these (dads) trips, always have extra bodies, and you find a way to get everybody in.”

Seider’s mom wasn’t able to come from Germany, but the defenseman was delighted his team provided other moms with pleasant memories.

“They had a blast,” Seider said. “They brought the energy. We just want to make them proud, and I think we did that. Those trips are very meaningful for the whole organization. And those are the moments you got to step up, and I’m very happy we did.”

Said Cam Talbot: “Tough to beat the same team twice like that. So, nice to put on a show like that for them and I’m sure they loved it.”

The Red Wings were tied for last place with Buffalo in the Eastern Conference on Dec. 27 of last year at 13-18-4 (30 points). Now they’re 21-13-3 (45 points) and 8-2-1 in their past 11. They are two points out of the top spot in the East but also four points out of a playoff spot in a highly competitive race that’s nearing the midway point.

Their past three wins were against teams in a playoff position (Washington twice, New York Islanders), and they face another in Dallas on Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena (6:30, TNT) before the NHL’s three-day Christmas break.

“We’re definitely building,” Talbot said. “Confidence goes with everyone, especially against top teams. These games are not easy, and these points are going to be huge coming down the stretch in March and April. So, the fact that we’re putting this kind of string together right now says a lot about our group and the maturity that we’ve grown over the past couple of years.”