With three weeks remaining in the regular season, the Detroit Red Wings are reduced to the role of spoilers. They're not going to make the playoffs, but they can affect the postseason positioning of a couple of their opponents this week (Montreal, Minnesota) and the chances of another (Tampa Bay).
The Red Wings have won back-to-back games. They have won as many as three in a row only twice this season.
Here are five things to watch this week:
Back-to-back games
The Red Wings host Buffalo Monday and visit Montreal Tuesday (both games 7:30 p.