The Detroit Red Wings are running out of time to secure a playoff berth. With 84 points from 71 games, they trail the Boston Bruins by four points and the Ottawa Senators by five regulation wins for the second wild card. Crucially, they have no games left against either team.

Their final 10 games include four against playoff teams but also three against the Philadelphia Flyers, who are also on the bubble. This schedule disadvantage significantly hampers their chances. ESPN's Stathletes projects a 34.7% probability of Detroit making the playoffs, a stark contrast to Boston's 66.9% and Ottawa's 79.7%.

The Red Wings' season finale against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday is a critical, must-win game where one of the two longest playoff-drought teams will need a victory more than the other.