NHL scores 2017: Red Wings have the potential to play the role of the playoff spoiler

The Red Wings are effectively out of the playoff race. Fans have known it for months, but even with the tightness of the Eastern Conference, the logistics of climbing over seven teams and making up a 13-point deficit in 16 games is a pretty big ask.

So, it’s a lost year for Detroit. Their 25-year playoff streak will end unceremoniously and a retooling will begin. It also means the Red Wings have the potential to play the role of a playoff spoiler for teams looking to jump into the wild card or secure a better matchup for themselves.

Take their game on Friday, for example. The Blackhawks are well on their way to another playoff run, but ran into Detroit in their quest to jump the Wild at the top of the Central. Chicago scored the first goal, but three straight Red Wings’ tallies helped Detroit distance themselves in the victory.

The Blackhawks didn’t play a great game either, despite their eight-game road win streak coming into Friday. They were sleepy and played like it, not looking at all like the team that lost just twice over the span of a month. And the Red Wings took advantage, now forcing the Blackhawks to wait another day to gain the first spot in the Central.

It was a win the Red Wings didn’t need, but one the Blackhawks could have used for a better playoff matchup. And Detroit will have the chance to do it again, as 10 of its last 16 games are against playoff contenders and hopefuls.

It’d be wise if teams didn’t overlook the Red Wings in these last few weeks.

Blue Jackets 4, Sabres 3
Red Wings 4, Blackhawks 2
Wild 7, Panthers 4
Blues 4, Ducks 3
Penguins 3, Oilers 2 (SO)

1. Zach Werenski just got paid, big time

With a secondary assist in the Blue Jackets’ victory over the Sabres, Werenski secured himself Columbus’s franchise rookie record for points after passing Rick Nash.

Also big for the rookie? He just got paid, as he triggered a pair of $212,500 bonuses in his contract for hitting 40 points and .49 points-per-game.

A Calder Trophy would really round out Werenski’s year, but the honor likely belongs to one of the stars in Toronto or Winnipeg. Still, an incredible year for the defenseman.

2. Nick Bonino has finally caught fire

After a hat trick on Wednesday, Bonino continued to put up goals with his 13th of the year in the Penguins’ 3-2 victory in Edmonton.

The 28-year-old hasn’t been nearly as productive as he was with the Penguins last season, but with six points in four games, he might just be heating up at the right time.

3. Goaltending was optional in Florida

A total of 11 goals were scored between the Panthers and the Wild. Devan Dubnyk came in to replace Darcy Kuemper after 40 minutes and a total of 84 shots caught net or otherwise between the two clubs.

Fortunately for Minnesota, Dubnyk was able to rein in the team in the final frame. Four straight goals by the Wild in the third period helped Minnesota avoid its first three-game losing streak since late November.

This last-second goal from Joel Edmundson lifted the Blues over the Ducks for St. Louis’s third straight win.

Quite the victory too, with Los Angeles now three points behind them for the last Western Conference wild card spot.