Among the many factors that played a role in the Detroit Red Wings’ 2-0-1 record during their just-completed road trip was a simple element that is so difficult for teams to master.
It’s all about learning not to make much ado about nothing.
One of the favorite subjects discussed by Red Wings coach Todd McLellan is game management. Good teams master this concept. They have a blueprint for getting things done, and good or bad, they don’t waver from that plan.
“Tough road trip with the travel…the late nights…finding a way to get 5 of 6 points is huge.”
Andrew Copp stopped by postgame after a 5-1 @DetroitRedWings victory in Winnipeg to cap off another successful road slate. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/RRD9tY7h8x
— Logan Reever (@loganreever) January 25, 2026
McLellan was delighted by how his team stuck with the game plan in Saturday’s 5-1 win at Winnipeg, even though for much of the first two periods, the game wasn’t going their way.
“I thought the first and second we learned to deal with frustration a little bit,” McLellan said on the club’s website. “We had some shifts go our way, some shifts that didn’t. A little bit of frustration, and I think that was good frustration.”
Red Wings Learning That Nothing Isn’t A Bad Thing
The top NHL teams recognize that on most nights, things won’t go according to plan. This is a lesson the Red Wings are finally embracing.
One of the most challenging aspects of hockey for young players to master is accepting that it’s okay for nothing to happen during a shift. You don’t have to win every shift. Just don’t lose the shift.
Take the tie, and wait for the next opportunity.
It’s fine to be upset when things aren’t unfolding as planned. But what matters most is not letting that facet alter the way you’re playing.
Don’t try to force things. Never stray from the plan. Don’t cheat to try to create offense.
Keep playing the right way, and eventually, things will go your way.
A two-goal game for J.T. Compher led us to a 5-1 win in Winnipeg last night!
Our @xfinity game-changing moment(s) 👏 pic.twitter.com/R55YxevGj9
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 25, 2026
“Guys are pushing each other now, and they’re getting a little upset when it’s not going their way,” McLellan said. “But we needed to channel it the right way. We did that in the third (period on Saturday).”
Games Will Only Become Tougher
As the NHL season moves into February and March, that’s when the Red Wings have come unglued in recent campaigns, costing them a playoff berth. McLellan is seeing signs this year that this club is preparing to meet that challenge head-on.
He sees their road success as an indication that they’re making adjustments.
“Well, good teams find ways to win on the road,” McLellan said. “That could be with your A game, your B game, power play, penalty kill. Make something get it done for you. And I would say in our wins, we’ve probably had a variety.
“It’s always nice to play at home. It’s great to be in front of your fans and have the last change. But sometimes just being on the road is simple too, and I think we’ve handled ourselves well to this point.
“But it’s only going to get harder as it gets tighter. It’s going to get cranked up, and checking is going to get tighter, and game management is going to be even more important.”