(WXYZ) — The Detroit Red Wings still have a chance at the playoffs with just two games remaining in the season, but they're going to need help.
Detroit got a big two points on Monday night in Montreal, but the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins also won their games.
Reminder: You can watch the final Red Wings gameson TV20 Detroit with pre-game and post-game shows.
Related: Amid Red Wings fight for the playoffs, here's how the NHL playoff tie-breakers work
Where things stand on Tuesday, April 16
It all comes down to Tuesday night. The Detroit Red Wings need to beat the Montreal Canadiens and they also need the Washington Capitals to lose to the Philadelphia Flyers.
If that happens, Detroit clinches a playoff spot. If Detroit loses, the season is over and the team will miss the playoffs for the eighth straight year.
There is another more complicated scenario for Detroit to get in the playoffs. The Red Wings would have to lose in overtime – getting them one point – the Capitals would have to lose to the Flyers in regulation and the Pittsburgh Penguins would need to lose in regulation on Wednesday night.
Where things stand on Monday, April 15
Standings haven't changed as all teams fighting for a spot were off on Sunday. The action continues Monday night.
Detroit can't clinch a playoff spot on Monday night, but they can be eliminated from contention.
Here are the Red Wings playoff clinching scenarios.
The easiest option is the Red Wings win both of their final games and the Washington Capitals lose at least one of their last two games.
Detroit can also clinch a playoff spot with at least one Washington Capitals loss, plus one win and an OT or shootout loss. That would give them three points, while the Capitals would have only earned two points if they lose one game.
However, Detroit could be eliminated from playoff contention Monday night if they lose in regulation and the Capitals win. That means the Capitals would have 89 points, and the best the Red Wings could get is 89 points and the Capitals own the tiebreaker.
Where things stand on Sunday, April 14
The Red Wings currently sit in third place in the wild card spot with 87 points. They're tied with the Washington Capitals in second place and the Philadelphia Flyers in fourth place.
Washington currently holds the tiebreaker over the Red Wings with 30 regulation wins, and Philadelphia holds a tiebreaker over Detroit as well with 30 regulation wins.
However, Detroit currently sits ahead of Philadelphia because the Red Wings have played one less game than the Flyers.
Detroit will likely need to win both of its final two games on Monday and Tuesday and need a loss from the Capitals in at least one of their final two games.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are still also in the hunt with 86 points in fifth place in the wild card with two games remaining.
Here's the schedule for the four teams.
Detroit Red Wings
- Monday, April 15 - vs. Montreal Canadiens
- Tuesday, April 16 - at Montreal Canadiens
Pittsburgh Penguins
- Monday, April 15 - vs. Nashville Predators
- Wednesday, April 17 - at New York Islanders
Washington Capitals
- Monday, April 15 - vs. Boston Bruins
- Tuesday, April 16 - at Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
- Tuesday, April 16 - vs. Washington Capitals
Where things stand on Friday, April 12
Detroit was unable to get an important two points in Thursday night's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but did secure a point by getting the game to overtime after overcoming a two-goal deficit.
The Penguins still have the second wild card spot with 86 points, and the Washington Capitals are in the third spot with 85 points. The Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers also have 85 points.
The Red Wings will likely need to win their final three games to get into the playoffs.
Here's the final schedule for all four teams fighting for the second wild card spot.
Detroit Red Wings
- Saturday, April 13 - at Toronto Maple Leafs
- Monday, April 15 - vs. Montreal Canadiens
- Tuesday, April 16 - at Montreal Canadiens
Pittsburgh Penguins
- Saturday, April 13 - vs. Boston Bruins
- Monday, April 15 - vs. Nashville Predators
- Wednesday, April 17 - at New York Islanders
Washington Capitals
- Saturday, April 13 - vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
- Monday, April 15 - vs. Boston Bruins
- Tuesday, April 16 - at Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
- Saturday, April 13 - vs. New Jersey Devils
- Tuesday, April 16 - vs. Washington Capitals
Where things stand on Thursday, April 11
There were no changes in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race on Wednesday as none of the teams played.
Here's the wild card standings:
- Tampa Bay Lightning - 95 points - clinched
- Washington Capitals - 85 points
- Pittsburgh Penguins - 84 points
- Detroit Red Wings - 84 points
- Philadelphia Flyers - 83 points
Here's Thursday's schedule:
- Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings - 7 p.m.
- Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres - 7 p.m.
- Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers - 7 p.m.
- Montreal Canadiens at New York Islanders - 7 p.m.
Here's where things stand on Wednesday, April 10
The 2-1 loss by the Red Wings to the Washington Capitals had huge implications on the playoff race.
Detroit was in the second wild card spot before the game, and after the loss, the Red Wings are now in fourth place with 84 points.
The Capitals are in the second wild card spot with 85 points, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are in the third wild card spot with 84 points, but more regulation wins than the Red Wings.
The Philadelphia Flyers sit in fifth place in the wild card with 83 points, and the New York Islanders have the third spot in the Metropolitan Division with 87 points.
None of those teams play until Thursday.
Here's Thursday's schedule:
- Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings - 7 p.m.
- Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres - 7 p.m.
- Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers - 7 p.m.
- Montreal Canadiens at New York Islanders - 7 p.m.
