The rollercoster finish for the Detroit Red Wings continued on Thursday, with a stirring 4-2 win at Philadelphia. It was a decidedly up performance for the team after Tuesday’s downer in Pittsburgh.

The Red Wings are in New York to play the Rangers Saturday, and this, like all games for a team on the brink of elimination, is a must-win affair.

Even more so, because the Rangers are dead last in the Eastern Conference. But, given the rollercoaster the Red Wings have been on recently, this is hardly a gimme. 

Detroit is tied with Ottawa and Columbus for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Ottawa is getting the tiebreaker due to the most regulation wins. All three teams are a point behind the New York Islanders, who currently sit third in the Metropolitan Division.

There were a couple of milestones passed in Thursday’s game. The Red Wings surpassed last year’s win and point totals with the victory, and Patrick Kane passed Brett Hull in career points with a goal and two assists.

John Gibson was once again stalwart in goal with another key performance for Detroit. He has been in the net for the last 13 games due in part to an undisclosed injury to backup Cam Talbot, who was on the bench Thursday. 

Sunday’s game starts the last home stretch for the Wings, who have four games at Little Caesars Arena next week before a season-ending trip to Florida. It begins with a Sunday afternoon game with Minnesota, followed by games with Columbus on Tuesday, Philadelphia on Thursday, and New Jersey next Saturday. 

Like a rollercoaster, it will either be a thrill ride or one that leaves a queasy feeling in the stomach all summer. 

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Justin Faulk left the game with a lower-body injury in the second period and didn’t return, forcing coach Todd McLellan to juggle his five remaining blueliners. 

“The five that continued to play got a lot of minutes, and they certainly had their push,” McLellan said. “So, we had to manage and make sure the shift length was proper, especially for our D, and our forwards took care of them for the most part.”

McLellan said Faulk will be evaluated today in New York. 

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