Missing the playoffs will be a major letdown for the Red Wings

It's been seven long years since Detroit Red Wings fans have watched their team in the playoffs. What's one more year in the rebuild, right? 

Well, even though few thought Detroit would be competing for a postseason birth this season, having to wait one more year would be devastating for "Hockeytown." 

The Red Wings entered Tuesday night with a chance to put themselves in control of their own destiny. Little Caesars Arena was buzzing, much the same way Joe Louis Arena did throughout Detroit's 25-year streak of playoff appearances, spanning 1990-2016. 

Unfortunately for the home crowd, they watched their team fall 2-1 at the hands of the Capitals. The Wings only avoided a shutout thanks to Patrick Kane's goal in the final second of the game. 

With the loss, it's Washington in the driver's seat for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, not Detroit. Some will argue the fact the Red Wings are even playing meaningful games in April is already a giant leap from how bad it's been in recent years. 

However, there are two key reasons why missing out on the postseason would make the 2023-24 season a disappointing one for such an historic franchise. 

Following the loss to Washington, Detroit is 38-32-8 with 84 points, good enough to sit right outside of the playoffs. And with only four games left, including an upcoming matchup with a revitalized Penguins — who also have 84 points — time is running out. 

Detroit shouldn't be in this position. The Red Wings were inside the playoff picture for most of the season, And unlike Pittsburgh, added a key piece to boost their chances instead of continuing to sell. After winning seven of eight to end February, the wheels fell off the Red Wings' momentum. Detroit proceeded to lose nine of 12 in April.  

Even the most optimistic fan likely never believed this team would be the one to lift the franchise's 12th Stanley Cup title. But all signs at least pointed to a return to the playoffs, a place many older fans grew so accustomed to being for so long. 

And it's not just that Detroit is about to squander the season, but that it happened despite adding Kane. On Nov. 28, Kane signed a one-year deal to be the veteran presence that could show Dylan Larkin and company how to win. Kane, a player who Detroit fans used to root against on the rival Blackhawks, was now wearing the winged wheel. 

Detroit's executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman didn't bring Kane in just to skate around for a career victory lap. Kane had many suitors, eventually picking Detroit because he believed in Yzerman's vision. He's also delivered, scoring 20 goals and registering 44 points in 46 games. 

Factoring in where Detroit was in the standings in early in 2024 with the production of Kane, and missing out will feel like a let down. In all reality, the Red Wings have made significant progress this season and will likely be projected to crack that postseason seal next year. 

But still, the notion of waiting one more year for a fanbase that was once spoiled watching legendary names through multiple generations doesn't sound all that appealing.