RALEIGH, N.C. — The Detroit Red Wings headed south, with one more game to suit up for before heading anywhere but where they really want to be.
Thursday’s season finale at the Tampa Bay Lightning comes one week after the Wings were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. They haven’t won since, but it matters to players that the effort doesn’t lack, regardless of how meaningless the outcome.
“If you’re don’t have pride, then you may as well just pack your [stuff] and get out of here,” Andrew Copp said after the Wings lost, 4-1, at the Carolina Hurricanes. “You have to push. We’re not, obviously, making the playoffs, but… like, what are you saving it for, you know?
“It’s time to push and it’s time to empty the tank.”
STORMY WEATHER: Red Wings wind down with slow start in 4-1 loss to Carolina Hurricanes
IN THE CREASE: Ville Husso ‘just not sharp,’ and not still injured. Red Wings had better hope so
The Wings (35-36-10) already are guaranteed to finish among the 11 bottom teams in the NHL standings; that’s good for the organization, because it means they will have a shot at selecting No 1 overall in June’s draft. (Teams cannot move up more than 10 spots.) But for the players, and the coaching staff, Game 82 is a chance to work on the habits that will build future success.
“Do the right thing, concentrate on the process,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “Hopefully, the outcome will take care of itself.”
Lalonde pointed out that the Wings, “literally have double-digit players that weren’t on our team not very long ago.” Since around the start of March, the Wings have bled forwards, losing them to injuries and the trade deadline. Dylan Larkin was the latest player to be unavailable, felled by a lower-body injury that left Lalonde unsure of Larkin’s availability for Thursday’s finale.
Goaltender Ville Husso was also a spectator for the Carolina game, with a lower-body injury. Lalonde said he could be available against the Lightning.
Husso’s absence, at least, has given Alex Nedeljkovic a chance to show he still belongs in the NHL. That’s what meaning Nedeljkovic has imbued into these last weeks.
“It’s another opportunity to show I can play at this level, I can play at a high level, and not just for one night,” Nedeljkovic said. “That I can maintain that level of consistency, that is what was missing from the beginning of the year, I wasn’t able to do it. I wasn’t able to give them a chance to win every night.
“What does it mean for guys? You have to figure it out yourself. It’s one more game in the NHL. It’s one more game at a high level and we’re going to play against a really good team, two-time Stanley Cup champions. Guys are playing for contracts, guys are playing for roster spots, depth spots. There’s always something at stake.”
The Wings will have one more morning skate, one more game, before they scatter for the summer. It’s been a tough week, losing to teams that have been battling for the playoff positioning the Wings crave, but that shouldn’t lead to a letdown in Tampa.
“I think it’s important for us to go into the offseason on a good note,” Copp said. “We’ve played decently well down the stretch here, but it’d be nice to get rewarded on Thursday with a win.”
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.
Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.
Her latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.