As the calendar flips to 2026, the Detroit Red Wings find themselves in an unfamiliar position, first place in the ever-so-tight Atlantic Division. Thanks to a December that saw the Red Wings go 10-3-1, they have put themselves in a position to bring playoff hockey back to Detroit.
January becomes just as important as December was if the Red Wings want to break their nine-year playoff drought. With 15 games in 31 days, the Red Wings will be tested, as this schedule includes five Atlantic Division matchups and 10 games against teams that were playoff teams last year.