It’s commonplace to tell those with problems to sleep on it and it will better in the morning. That hasn’t been the case for the Detroit Red Wings during their quest to make the playoffs.

The situation got worse again Sunday night as the Boston Bruins won again, and the Montreal Canadiens won their fifth in a row. The Canadiens are now eight points ahead of Detroit. Montreal, third in the Atlantic Division, beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 to reach 94 points.

The Bruins’ 4-3 win is really a mixed result because they beat the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Bruins, in the first wildcard position, are now six points ahead of Detroit. But the Red Wings and Ottawa Senators) are still only two points behind the Blue Jackets who own the second wildcard position.

The Red Wings play a road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday night.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Bob Duff asks whether this Red Wings group is truly up for this NHL playoff fight?

Reinforcements will help the Grand Rapids Griffins. Anton Johansson will arrive Sunday from Sweden.

Still too early to know what Trey Augustine is planning now that Michigan State is out of the NCAA tournament.

Red Wings Extra

Detroit assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff’s son, Will, and AGM Kris Draper’s son, Kienan, both are on the Michigan hockey team that will play for an NCAA Championship at the Frozen Four. The Wolverines downed Minnesota-Duluth 4-3 to earn one of the four spots. Horcoff, a Pittsburgh Penguins first-round pick last June, scored in the regional final. Minnesota-Duluth’s loss opens the door for Red Wings draft pick Max Plante to sign with the Detroit Red Wings. He is considered one of their top 10 prospects. The Minnesota Duluth sophomore registered an assist against Michigan and had 25 goals and 52 points in 40 games this season.

Hockey Now Digest

Philadelphia: Flyers embrace “Us against the world” attitude for NHL playoff push. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin back at Penguins’ practice. The Penguins have a road game against the New York Islanders Monday before facing Detroit Tuesday. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Vegas: Golden Knights stun NHL by firing Bruce Cassidy and hiring John Tortorella. Vegas Golden Knights.