Leksand is continuing a late-season rally in the SHL, and that could be great news for both the Detroit Red Wings and Grand Rapids Griffins.

A 4-2 win over second-place Frolunda moved Leksand to within three points of avoiding the SHL relegation playoffs and four points of a playoff spot. Leksand has won seven of the past eight games. Two games are remaining in the SHL’s 52-game regular season. Leksand plays Malmö and Rogle.

Anton Johansson(4th round’22 for Leksands if)
+/-0 2 Hits 20:47 TOI in a 4-2 win#LGRW
Good stretch pass pic.twitter.com/0oTaepeVZq

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) March 10, 2026

Leksand resided in the SHL basement for much of the 2025-26 season.

Red Wings prospect Anton Johansson plays on the Leksand defense. He was selected 105th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

“It would be a hell of a journey to get to the playoffs, but we’ll take it game by game and see where it leads,” Johansson told Swedish website Aftonbladet.

From a purely selfish standpoint, the best-case scenario for the Red Wings would be for Leksand to avoid the relegation playoffs but miss the actual playoffs. Then Johansson would be immediately available to join the AHL Griffins.

He did just that last season, posting five assists in 11 games for GR. He also suited up for all three Griffins Calder Cup playoff games, accounting for one assist.

For the time being, he’s focused on getting the best outcome for Leksand.

“There is a good feeling in the group and good self-confidence, so it will be an incredibly fun ending,” Johnasson said.

Former Red Wings Fueling Leksand Rally

While future Detroit player Johansson is a key element, there are two others with Red Wings ties helping to fuel this Leksand fire.

Former Griffins goalie and Red Wings draftee Filip Larsson has bricked up the net since joining the club last month. He was given his release by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

I betalt samarbete med @trygghansa.

🔙 Filip Larsson är tillbaka i SHL – och han levererar högklassiga räddningar omgående!

Ni har röstat fram @leksands_if-keepern som vinnare i Veckans Räddning. pic.twitter.com/kuvDudbn2L

— SHL.se (@SHLse) March 11, 2026

Behind the bench, assistant coach Mattias Ritola, a Red Wings and Griffins forward from 2007-10, joined the coaching staff at midseason and reshaped the Leksand power play.

“The team has gained confidence towards the end,” Ritola explained to Falu-Kuriren. “We have won matches, and that builds confidence. We have stuck to good habits over a long time here, and it is the same with power play.”

Ritola also feels a vital aspect of the turnaround is getting the players to regain belief in themselves.

“I’ve tried to explain to the guys that even though it’s been a tough year, they’re devilishly good hockey players,” Ritola said. “That’s where I’ve tried to burst that bubble a little bit. The one you get into when things are tough and when things are going against you. That you start talking to each other again.

“And they really have. It’s nice that they get rewarded for it.”