The Detroit Red Wings have not been in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2015-16 season. For a team that once went 25 consecutive seasons in the playoffs, that nine-year drought is a significant fall from grace. 

But through the first half of the 2025-26 season, the Red Wings look poised to finally snap that drought. 

Their 3-2 overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night improved their record to 23-14-3, which by points percentage gives them the third-best record in the Eastern Conference and the seventh-best record in the NHL.

They are comfortably in a playoff position.

While the team still has some flaws, they have some real strengths that are carrying it. There is no strength better than their young defense duo of Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson. 

They shone again on Sunday night.

Red Wings young defense duo could help snap their playoff drought

Both players made significant impacts on Sunday at both ends of the ice, with Edvinsson scoring the game-winning goal in overtime on a beautiful individual effort.Â