{"id":551144,"date":"2026-04-12T13:30:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T13:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/551144\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T13:30:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T13:30:17","slug":"coach-todd-mclellan-reacts-to-boos-as-detroit-red-wings-miss-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/551144\/","title":{"rendered":"Coach Todd McLellan reacts to boos as Detroit Red Wings miss playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Detroit Red Wings<\/a> saw their NHL<\/a> playoff hopes end in disappointment, and head coach Todd McLellan did not shy away from the reaction inside the arena.<\/p>\n

Detroit fell 5\u20133 to the New Jersey Devils<\/a> on Saturday at Little Caesars Arena. The loss officially ended their playoff expectations and stretched the franchise\u2019s drought to 10 straight seasons, now the longest active run in the NHL, after Buffalo qualified for the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Fans made their frustration clear, as boos grew louder after Dawson Mercer\u2019s empty-net goal, which sealed the result late in the third period. Even during Fan Appreciation Night, the mood turned sour as players gathered for the traditional salute.<\/p>\n

MORE: Detroit Red Wings could follow Maple Leafs, Devils in GM changes<\/a><\/p>\n

The Wings were booed off the ice after being eliminated from playoff contention at the hands of the 22nd overall New Jersey Devils\u2026\ud83e\udd10 pic.twitter.com\/QCYrm7dAtO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

McLellan faced the situation directly. He said the team earned that response and called it a reflection of their season. He pointed to Detroit\u2019s strong hockey culture and said fans expect effort and consistency every night.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, this is Detroit, this is hockey town,\u201d McLellan said. \u201cI\u2019ve been lucky enough to be on the other side of it when they couldn\u2019t stop cheering for this team, and they\u2019re dying for that. They crave that. That\u2019s what they want. And I don\u2019t even know if they want a Stanley Cup championship anymore. They just want a team that\u2019s gonna come and give them something to cheer about. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this outside noise stuff or whatever, that\u2019s inside noise. Those are our fans in our building, and they pay to watch us play, and we get paid well to perform for them. And they\u2019re fully entitled to their opinion, and we deserve their opinion. Like, there\u2019s no other way to sugarcoat it. That, that\u2019s what we earned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Todd Mcllelan on the boos during the salute<\/p>\n

“This is hockeytown, they’re not even clamoring for a cup\u2026they just want a group to give them something to cheer for. We earned that reaction\u2026” pic.twitter.com\/3mnHXuG6bW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Stone Cold Steve Yzerman (@McCartyDangles) April 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

McLellan\u2019s message was blunt and honest, with no attempt to soften the moment.<\/p>\n

On the ice, the result capped a painful collapse. Detroit led 3\u20132 in the third period before conceding three unanswered goals. Earlier in the season, the team had topped the Eastern Conference standings in January but struggled after the Olympic<\/a> break.<\/p>\n

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin responds<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) skates with the puck against the New Jersey Devils at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Captain Dylan Larkin<\/a> accepted responsibility for the boos, but said that it was difficult to hear it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s extremely difficult,\u201d Larkin said, who registered two points in the game. \u201cOur fans are great, they are passionate, they care about winning. There\u2019s been some great years here, and they [fans] want us back to that, and that\u2019s what they expect here. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd to hear that it\u2019s very difficult. I\u2019m as down as I could be right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Red Wings were booed off the ice after getting eliminated from playoff contention in their home finale. <\/p>\n

Dylan Larkin talked about it after the game.<\/p>\n

“There’s been some great years here, and they want us back to that, and that’s what they expect here.”<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfa5 @DetroitRedWings<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/r1sBf5Df0U<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chad Britton (@CBrit24) April 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Detroit holds a 41-30-9 record with 91 points, but could not close the gap late in the race. Poor game management and inconsistency cost them a return to the postseason.<\/p>\n

For McLellan and the Red Wings, the boos were not surprising. They were a clear signal of expectations still unmet in a proud hockey city.<\/p>\n

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