Red Wings hit Olympic break with division lead in sight after 58 games
The Detroit Red Wings have reached the Olympic break after completing 58 regular-season games—the highest total in the Atlantic Division. Three key players, including captain Dylan Larkin, will now compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan before the team resumes its campaign.
Detroit enters the pause six points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning in the divisional standings. Head coach Todd McLellan has urged the Olympic-bound trio—Larkin (USA), Lucas Raymond (Sweden), and Moritz Seider (Germany)—to prioritise rest and recovery during the tournament.
The remaining Red Wings players will use the break to recharge before the final push. Upon returning, the team will hold a short training camp to review systems and sharpen focus. Their first post-Olympic game is scheduled for February 26 against the Ottawa Senators.
With 24 matches left in the season, 11 of them at Little Caesars Arena, McLellan believes the squad has positioned itself well for the stretch run.
The Red Wings will look to close the gap on Tampa Bay after the break. Their Olympic representatives will rejoin the team following the tournament, while the rest of the roster regroups for the final 24 games. The next match takes place on home ice against Ottawa on February 26.
