The impressive points streak of the Detroit Red Wings is once again in jeopardy. And it’s entirely possible it could come to an end against the same team that was the opponent when it started.

Back on November 28 of last year, Detroit dropped a 6-3 decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was the club’s third regulation loss in a row.

Since that game, the Red Wings have put together a streak of 31 games during which they’ve never lost consecutive games in regulation. It’s a big reason why this team finds itself in a playoff spot.

Unlike in past seasons, Detroit hasn’t allowed itself to become mired in a long slump of regulation losses.

However, the streak is again on the line, and in the worst way possible.

Tuesday, the Wings were leading the Florida Panthers 3-2 with 90 seconds to play. And they lost 4-3. In regulation.

CARTER VERHAEGHE GAME WINNER! 😼

WITH JUST OVER 14 SECONDS LEFT IN REGULATION! pic.twitter.com/MWWG7DNxWR

— NHL (@NHL) March 11, 2026

“Another one of those where at the very least we should be leaving with a point, but we’re not, and it’s a tough one to swallow,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan told reporters after the game.

Will Lightning Strike Red Wings Twice?

Now the Red Wings will be heading into Thursday’s game at Tampa Bay in danger of losing back-to-back games in regulation for the first time since Thanksgiving.

Tampa Bay used to be a house of horrors for the Wings. From 2015 to 2021, they lost 17 games in a row there.

Lately, though, things have gone much better. Detroit has won five of its past eight road games against the Lightning.

During this 31-game run, the Red Wings have gone 9-0-1 in games immediately following a regulation loss. They are an impressive 7-0 in road games following a regulation loss.

Plenty Of Consistency In the East

Amazingly, as impressive as Detroit’s 31-game streak looks to be, it’s not even the longest active streak of such in the NHL. Or in the Atlantic Division, for that matter.

Making history ⚔️#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/0WXMo5xHvt

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 11, 2026

The Buffalo Sabres have gone 37 games in a row without suffering successive regulation losses. Elsewhere in the East, the Boston Bruins (25 games), Carolina Hurricanes (24 games), and Columbus Blue Jackets (21 games) are also rolling along on streaks of similar ilk. Earlier this season, the Philadelphia Flyers (32 games), the New York Islanders (25 games), and the Lightning (22 games) also assembled impressive runs without losing two straight in regulation.

That might explain why the playoff spots in the Eastern Conference are being so hotly contested. There are a lot of good, consistent performers playing in the East this season.