Like it or not, the Red Wings’ season came down to the final day. Sure, they did themselves no favors by letting an eight-point lead in the wild card race on the last day of February slip away, thanks to a seven-game losing streak.
But alas, Detroit entered Tuesday night in need of not only a win over the Canadiens in the season finale, but help from the Flyers against the Capitals.
Detroit held up its end of the bargain with a 5-4 shootout win, but in the end, it wasn’t enough, as Washington beat Philadelphia 2-1.
The Wings looked to be on their way to pulling off a miracle for a third straight game when David Perron capitalized on a late icing call and netted the equalizer with just five seconds to play.
But moments later the Caps sucked the life out of the never-say-die Wings. Needing a regulation win to have any chance of making the playoffs in the wake of Detroit’s late goal, Philadelphia pulled its goalie early and Washington quickly took advantage as TJ Oshie scored with 3:00 to play.
Tuesday’s results extend Detroit’s absence from the postseason to a franchise-worst eight seasons.