{"id":405110,"date":"2026-01-13T11:30:32","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T11:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/405110\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T11:30:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T11:30:32","slug":"are-red-wings-ready-for-an-advanced-lesson-plan-dhn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/405110\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Red Wings Ready For An Advanced Lesson Plan? \/ DHN"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s not the first time that the Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> have sought to mess with Sergei Fedorov<\/a> and the Detroit<\/a> Red Wings.<\/p>\n

Just like the last time they tried, the Red Wings collectively said, \u2018I don\u2019t think so.\u2019<\/p>\n

The first time the Canes raised Cain was in 1998. They signed RFA Fedorov to a $28 million offer sheet. On that occasion, it was the Ilitch family checkbook that answered. The Red Wings matched the offer.<\/p>\n

Cat. Copp. GAME.#UltraMoments<\/a> | @MichelobUltra<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/nZPVoFW4DD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

On Monday, it was Andrew Copp<\/a> laying down the law. After Carolina scored three third-period goals to eliminate a 3-0 Detroit lead, Copp redirected Alex DeBrincat\u2019s<\/a> feed for the overtime winner in a 4-3 Red Wings win.<\/p>\n

Fittingly, on the night that Fedorov\u2019s No. 91 was hoisted to the rafters, Detroit worked extra time for the win. Fedorov is the franchise leader in OT goals with 13.<\/p>\n

That season in which the Red Wings opted to keep Fedorov from Carolina, they went on to win the Stanley Cup. Currently, percentage points behind the Hurricanes for the NHL\u2019s Eastern Conference lead, Detroit is looking like a playoff-bound team for the first time in nearly a decade.<\/p>\n

Talking Stanley Cup is certainly premature at this juncture. Daring to dream about destinations ahead for the Red Wings no longer seems foolhardy, though.<\/p>\n

Red Wings Are Graduating To Bigger Things<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the past, we probably don\u2019t win that game,\u201d Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. \u201cSo the fact that we let it get away on us, but we could still reel it back in, get a point at least, find a way to win in overtime, is a sign of graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Wings are living in the moment. They don\u2019t get too excited about good things that happen. Nor do they dwell when the tides turn against them.<\/p>\n

An OT winner for 91!! @DetroitRedWings<\/a> @FanDuelSN_DET<\/a> #LGRW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/PNrZwljOIT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) January 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s two points against the team that\u2019s right at the top of the Eastern Conference, and we got another one tomorrow,\u201d Copp said. \u201cThat\u2019s just the way this season\u2019s going right now.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust games on games on games, and it\u2019s a bit of a sprint to the Olympic break.\u201d<\/p>\n

The NHL season is a grind every year, but even more so this year with the impending Olympic break next month. McLellan noted that experienced teams like the Hurricanes come with the same game night after night. They don\u2019t deviate from their game plan.<\/p>\n

The Red Wings are learning the value of that consistent approach. There\u2019s no sense in gloating over success or dwelling on failure. Another opportunity, whether it\u2019s to build upon the positive or move on from the negative, is just around the corner.<\/p>\n

Mental Toughness Honed During Camp<\/p>\n

McLellan says the process of learning how to cope with all of these challenges was honed during training camp.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe talked about physically getting stronger and mentally getting stronger, and I\u2019m not sure which one comes first,\u201d McLellan said. \u201cI actually think the mental part is the one that drives the body. So that\u2019s probably the most important. But we have brought it into play over and over and over again.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably we\u2019ll talk about it again tomorrow. We\u2019re going to Boston. We have to play back-to-back again. Four games in six nights. How mentally strong are we? Can we control our bodies? And can we push? Can we play as a group? And can we rely on each other?<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are terms we talk about all the time. And you build that up. You build up confidence layer after layer, and sometimes it gets chipped away, but you keep going. You hope they believe it and push towards it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gradually, the Wings are graduating into a team that\u2019s ready to push for greater things.<\/p>\n

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