The Detroit Red Wings refuse to tank, and that is good for their future without necessarily jeopardizing their draft.
The Wings improved to 4-1-1 in their last six games with a 3-2 overtime victory today at Joe Louis Arena against the Minnesota Wild, which had just clinched a playoff spot the day before. Standings-wise, the nine points do little but delay the Wings’ mathematical elimination from the playoffs for what will be first time in 26 seasons, as they remain second-to-last in the Eastern Conference.
The winning doesn’t hurt the Wings' draft lottery odds so long as the teams ahead of them bank points, too.