Sports Magic Numbers @SportsMagicNum
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Detroit Red Wings (DET)

Eastern – Atlantic • Record: 1-3-0 (PTS 2)
Race:

Seed Chasing Pittsburgh Penguins for a wild card spot
Numbers Magic path: chasing wild card — 9 rivals contending for 2 spots
Magic # 161
Tragic # 158
Playoff odds 15.0%
Top 3 in division 7.9% • Wild card 7.1% • Division title 1.2%
Full league odds →
Magic counts down to clinching — drops as you gain points or bubble teams lose.
Tragic counts down to elimination — drops as you lose or the chaser gains points.

Tonight’s rooting guide


Live rooting guide — it updates as games go final, so items may disappear.
Showing remaining games that can still affect your numbers.
Your game
  • If Detroit Red Wings beat Montréal Canadiens in regulation tonight, your Magic number -2.
    Magic -2
  • If Detroit Red Wings beat Montréal Canadiens in OT/SO tonight, your Magic number -2.
    Magic -2
  • If Detroit Red Wings lose to Montréal Canadiens in regulation tonight, your Magic number -2 and your Tragic number -2.
    Magic -2Tragic -2
  • If Detroit Red Wings lose to Montréal Canadiens in OT/SO tonight, your Magic number -2 and your Tragic number -1.
    Magic -2Tragic -1

What-if explorer

Drag the sliders — the numbers recalculate instantly using the site's real playoff math.
If Detroit Red Wings go 2-8-0 while Pittsburgh Penguins go 4-6:
Magic # 161 → 141Magic -20 Tragic # 158 → 141Tragic -17
Assumes these games come against teams outside your race; every other rival's record stays as-is.

Draft lottery outlook

If the season ended today: lottery seed No. 5 — a 8.5% chance at the No. 1 pick and an expected pick of 5.1.

Full draft order & lottery simulator →

Frequently asked questions

What is the Detroit Red Wings magic number right now?

The Detroit Red Wings magic number is currently 161. Any combination of Detroit Red Wings points and losses by the team chasing them that adds up to 161 clinches a playoff spot.

What is the Detroit Red Wings tragic number?

The Detroit Red Wings tragic number is 158. When it hits 0 the team is mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. It shrinks when the Detroit Red Wings lose or when the team chasing them gains ground.

What are the Detroit Red Wings playoff odds?

Based on 10,000 simulations of the remaining schedule, the Detroit Red Wings make the playoffs in about 15.0% of outcomes.

What is a magic number in hockey?

A magic number is the combined total of points a team must earn (and its closest chaser must fail to earn) to guarantee a playoff spot. In the NHL it counts standings points, since wins are worth 2 points and overtime losses 1.

When did the Detroit Red Wings last make the playoffs?

The Detroit Red Wings last made the NHL playoffs in 2015-16. They have missed 10 straight postseasons.

When did the Detroit Red Wings last win the Stanley Cup?

The Detroit Red Wings have won 11 Stanley Cup titles, most recently in 2007-08.

How often are these numbers updated?

Standings and magic numbers on Sports Magic Numbers refresh throughout the day and after every NHL game, so the numbers here reflect the live playoff race.

Full guide: how magic numbers work →