The Detroit Red Wings face greater challenges as a result of their small victories. That has long been the practice of the National Hockey League.

The Red Wings are now a more serious contender for the playoffs after Detroit completed the California Sweep for the first time since 2008. With 44 points, the New Jersey Devils are in the hunt for the Eastern Conference’s final wild card spot. Both the Red Wings and the Washington Capitals have 44 points, but the Devils have the tiebreaker advantage. The Devils still lead Detroit by two games.

Goalie Alex Lyon of Detroit stated, “We just need to build on it, keep working, keep grinding.” “January will be challenging until the break, so we just need to remain engaged and focused.”That being said, the Red Wings’ best hope for the California trip was to get back into the postseason hunting party. Can they maintain that level of play in the face of such success?

The Red Wings’ tough schedule of excellent teams the remainder of January adds to the difficulty of that task. Eight of Detroit 10’s remaining games this month are against teams that are vying for a postseason spot. The Ottawa Senators (Jan. 31) and Tampa Bay Lightning (Jan. 21) are the only two opponents without a postseason spot.

And Red Wings supporters in Detroit are aware that the Senators present a challenging opponent. A month ago, at Little Caesars Arena, the Senators defeated them 5-1. This season, the Red Wings are 1-0-1 against them. In the first game of the season, Detroit defeated Tampa Bay. GM Steve Yzerman is attempting to create a winning culture in Detroit, which is something the Lightning take pride in.

The Edmonton Oilers (20-15-1) are the Red Wings’ next opponent and they are coming to Detroit on the strength of a seven-game winning streak. The Oilers, led by Connor McDavid, are now performing like the team that everyone anticipated they would be this season. On Saturday, the Los Angeles Kings (20-10-6) will visit LCA in an attempt to exact revenge for their shootout defeat in LA.