That sneaky little element called optimism is forcing its way back into the realm of the Detroit Red Wings. It’s been a persistent, pesky presence for the franchise in recent years. Much like Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown, it presents the sensation that, yet again, things will be different.
Then, just when they appear to be rolling, hope dashes away.
Thus, the question of the day is this: do you allow that belief to filter its way back into your psyche, allow hope to spring eternal that this time, this season, things will turn out differently for this team?
Even Red Wings coach Todd McLellan appears hesitant to buy into what hope is selling.
“I’d like to think we’re growing our team and getting better in different areas,” McLellan said. “But just as we get something, we give something else back.
“So it’s a sign of a team that needs work.”
Red Wings Finally Appear To Be Working Toward Something
At least, for the past couple of games, those signs are also indicating that this team is a work in progress.
Thursday, the Red Wings fell behind 1-0 to the winless Philadelphia Flyers. They would rally to win 2-1 on a third-period goal by Andrew Copp.
THE GAME-TYING GOAL😼 pic.twitter.com/Olg9TDUTJc
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 18, 2026
Saturday, the San Jose Sharks raced to a 3-1 advantage. Detroit clawed back into it. Emmitt Finnie scored. Then Alex DeBrincat tallied with the Red Wings’ net empty and 1:33 left in regulation.
Lucas Raymond potted the only goal of the shootout, and the Wings skated away 4-3 winners. They’ve won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
“I think we’re starting to figure some things out,” Finnie said. “Our PK still needs a little bit of work, but defensively we don’t give up much five-on-five. So if we keep doing that, we’re gonna keep getting points.”
Overall, Detroit has gained points in four successive games (2-0-2). The Red Wings are slowly beginning to trend in the right direction.
BIG W IN HOCKEYTOWN pic.twitter.com/Q9r6zUC4h1
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 18, 2026
“Yeah, I think it’s just the belief part,” Finnie said. “We have belief that we’re gonna score those goals. I mean, we have our best players on the ice. They’re gonna find ways to put it in.
“So, if we just keep sticking with it, getting pucks in that area, things will happen.”
Raymond, who’s been around for most of this decade of disappointment, is beginning to sense a level of resolve in this year’s club.
“It’s easy to say in intermissions that we got to trust our game, we got to stick with our game, but I think we’ve done that on the ice as well during these last two games,” Raymond said. “We haven’t started forcing things.
“We’ve stuck to our game plan and trusted that things will go our way.”
And in both games, ultimately, things have gone their way.
There is hope again in Hockeytown. Will it last? Who knows?
After this team’s summer of discontent, why not enjoy it while it’s here?
Related Headlines