Make no mistake about it – last year, the Detroit Red Wings were broken by the break. Detroit entered the 15-day break in the NHL schedule for the 4 Nations Face-Off, sitting eighth overall in the Eastern Conference standings.

Upon getting back into action, the Red Wings went 3-7-1, watching their playoff hopes evaporate.

A year later, entering a 22-day pause in their schedule for the Olympics, the Red Wings are determined not to let history repeat itself.

That being the case, coach Todd McLellan didn’t send his team off to their rest with a history lesson.

Todd McLellan discussed Utah’s fast-paced style and how his team responded in last night’s game. 🔊#LGRW pic.twitter.com/JykNOG8vjY

— FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (@FanDuelSN_DET) February 5, 2026

“They’ve heard me enough for the first five months of the season,” McLellan said. “They sure don’t need to hear me now when they’re on their break.

“When they get back on the 17th, we’ll pick up where we left off.”

While admitting that he’s looking forward to the chance to take a breath during the midst of what’s been a grinding slate of games, Detroit forward Andrew Copp isn’t planning to park himself on the couch and chill.

ANDREW COPP FINISHES IT OFF ON FEDOROV NIGHT!! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/LzmwcCXk82

— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 13, 2026

“Some guys will, I’m sure, maybe if they’re more banged up, take a little bit more time,” Copp said. “They’ll do a few workouts on their own or wherever they go. Some guys might skate.

“I think it’s kind of just up to the individual to see what you need. I think everyone knows the stakes, so I don’t think anyone’s going on a two-week-long bender in Vegas. But yeah, it’ll be on everyone to take care of themselves and come back ready to go.”

Different Type of Break For Some Red Wings

There won’t be a shutdown for Detroit players Dylan Larkin (USA), Lucas Raymond (Sweden), and Moritz Seider (Germany). They’re all off to Italy to play in the Winter Olympics. However, even Red Wings captain Larkin recognizes the value of the break for the team as a whole.

“We’ve played a lot of hockey, and you get bumps and bruises and illness,” Larkin said. “You’re going through it. So it is coming at a good time, and I think it’s going to be huge for our team.”

The break will also be different for veteran Detroit forward Patrick Kane. The last two times the NHL paused for the Olympics, Kane was an Olympian. This time, he’s not.

“I guess you try to rest your body as much as possible,” Kane said. “We still have like nine or 10 days of practice when we come back, so there’ll be time to get ourselves ready. But I think especially for me, with just the little kind of fluky injuries I’ve dealt with this year, it’s trying to make sure everything’s 100% when I’m coming back from the break.”

Finding A Balance Between Rest And Rust

How much and how often to work out or skate before returning to formal workouts is up to players to determine on an individual basis.

“Probably not for the first little bit, but I think I’ll probably be on the ice a few times before we get back, just to kind of get yourself ready,” Kane said.

Situated third in the Atlantic Division and seven points clear of ninth spot in the East, the Red Wings are better positioned to weather any sort of post-break blues. That they haven’t gone consecutive games without a point since late November is a testament to the consistency of the Red Wings.

“Well, we put ourselves in a real good spot,” McLellan said. “We’ve worked really hard as a team. Every player that’s been in the lineup has given us something on any given night.

“We’ve set ourselves up to have a good mini training camp coming out of the break, and then we control what happens to our hockey club from there on. And really, that’s all you can ask for.”