Red Wings regroup to grab wins in important week 25

Welcome to my 25th weekly regular season recap of the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings played four games this week, winning three. Detroit started the week with a 4-1 win against the Buffalo Sabres but followed that up with a disappointing 6-3 loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Two straight wins would end the week on a positive note, a 4-3 overtime win against the Columbus Blue Jackets and an impressive 6-3 win against the New York Islanders.

Positives

Detroit looked much more confident this week and it showed in their play. A three-win week is what they needed to get their confidence back and get back into the playoff chase.

The return of captain Dylan Larkin against the Islanders was important as they have a big week coming up against some playoff-caliber teams. This team is rolling right now and is hitting on all cylinders, something that is important coming down the stretch.

Forward Lucas Raymond continues his hot streak with five goals and one assist for six points, leading the team in scoring this week. Raymond's play was crucial with Larkin away with a lower-body injury and he carried the team offensively during that stretch.

He is the best player on the team right now and everything he touches turns up in the net. He is on an unbelievable streak and the team is rallying around him. He now leads the team in points with 24 goals and 36 assists for 60 points in 70 games.

As the playoffs near, Detroit's defense needed to tighten up and close gaps sooner. This week, they did just that allowing 10 goals in 4 games after a disaster of a losing streak, where everything shot at them ended up in the net.

This is one thing the team will focus on as the season winds down and things need to be refined. The defense, as well as the forwards in the defensive zone, have played well and are playing as a unit again.

Forward Christian Fischer is a player not talked about enough as he is playing good hockey, using his big body to block shots, get into passing lanes, and win battles along the boards.

Negatives

While the team went 3-1 this week, they still sit in fifth place in the Atlantic Division. Detroit still has a hold on the second wild card spot but the race has become significantly tighter after the Red Wings losing streak.

If the Red Wings can play the rest of the season like they did this past week, a wild card should be theirs at the end of the season. However, if they struggle or go on another lengthy losing streak, the thought of a playoff spot is just a memory.

Detroit needs to find a way to create more shots in the offensive zone. The passing is there but the offensive creativity that leads to more shots on goal needs to ramp up.

Yes, they went 3-1 this week but left many chances on the table that could have led to more goals. With Larkin back in the fold, this issue could correct itself but if not it could cost them.

The line of Fischer, Michael Rasmussen, and Andrew Copp was responsible for the win against the Islanders this past week, accounting for seven points from that line alone.

One thing that made them successful was their scoring opportunities created after hard work in the corners got the puck free for an opportunity.

With Alex Lyon getting a much-deserved rest, backup James Reimer got the start against New York and ultimately won the game 6-3. If Reimer should somehow get the team on a winning streak then who should start in the playoffs if Detroit occupies a spot?

Lyon has largely been responsible for the team winning this season as has played like an all-star until recently when the consecutive games played caught up to him. Reimer is the veteran but has not played all this season.

If the playoffs started tomorrow who gets the nod between the pipes for the Red Wings? Is it Lyon without a doubt? Or is it Reimer?