Unfortunately for the surging Detroit Red Wings, they don’t win anything, or receive any level of reward, for leading the Atlantic Division with 46.3% of their games already played.
After nine consecutive playoff misses, the Red Wings are still viewed as a team with much to prove. That will start when the NHL reopens Saturday with Detroit on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes in a battle of Eastern Conference division leaders.
Both teams own 47 points, meaning the top spot in the Conference is up for grabs. The Hurricanes do have two games in hand. The Red Wings own a three-game winning streak and are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Coach Rod Brind’Amour’s Hurricanes went into the Christmas break with a two-game losing streak.
Detroit’s test continues Sunday when the team meets the underachieving Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs won their last game against the Pittsburgh Penguins but are 2-5 in their last seven.
Pistons and Red Wings in 1st place
Lions in last
What year is it? pic.twitter.com/WY84XkJMvr
— Jim Costa (@JimCosta_) December 26, 2025
The Red Wings In Case You Missed It
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Hall of Fame goalie Terry Sawchuk once gave his children a White Christmas in Southern California.
What GM Steve Yzerman needed for Christmas this year.
Red Wings Extra
The World Junior Tournament starts today for Canada, and 2025 Red Wings first-round Carter Bear as of last night wasn’t yet registered, according to reports. Canada has registered 22 of 25 players…
Two former Grand Rapids Griffins/Detroit Red Wings players Riley Barber and Taro Hirose are among the top 10 scorers in the German league (Deutsche Eishockey Liga, DEL). Barber, 31, boasts a league-leading 23 goals and is second in the scoring race with 42 points in 31 games. He’s one point behind former Penn State/Chicago draftee Evan Barrett. Hirose is ninth in the race with 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists). Barber was last in the Red Wings organization in 2021-22, and played three seasons in the KHL before signing to play with ERC Engelstadt this season. Hirose has been in the DEL with EHC Munchen for the past two seasons… Meanwhile, Filip Zadina is having another good season in the Swiss National League with 29 points (17 goals, 12 assists) for Davos.
Canada registered 22 of the 25 players named today. Carter Bear (DET), Keaton Verhoeff (2026) and Joshua Ravensbergen (SJS) not yet registered with IIHF.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 26, 2025
Hockey Now Network
Boston: Jack Studley reports on what presents were under the Bruins’ tree on Christmas Day. Boston Bruins.
Colorado: The NHL-leading Avalanche owned three remarkable statistics entering the holiday break.
Montreal: WHL standout Bryce Pickford could end up being a draft steal for the Montreal Canadiens.
Philadelphia: William James explains what was on the Flyers’ Christmas wish list. Philadelphia Flyers.
San Jose: Sheng Peng looks at whether the Sharks are truly a playoff-caliber team. San Jose Sharks.