Red Wings Coach Defends Fan Reaction After Crushing Devils Loss

Detroit's playoff drought extends to 10 seasons after late-season collapse.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 9:25am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented hockey game, with sharp planes of red, white, and blue overlapping to create a sense of motion and chaos on the ice.The Red Wings' late-season collapse has left their frustrated fanbase searching for answers.Today in Detroit

The Detroit Red Wings have officially been eliminated from playoff contention after a crushing 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils. Head coach Todd McLellan was candid in his response to the boos from frustrated fans, saying they are 'fully entitled to their opinion' after the team's late-season collapse.

Why it matters

The Red Wings' failure to make the playoffs for a 10th straight season is a major disappointment for the storied franchise and its loyal fanbase. McLellan's blunt comments reflect the growing frustration within the organization over their inability to return to the postseason.

The details

The Red Wings had a 3-2 lead late in the third period, but the Devils scored three unanswered goals to claim the victory and officially eliminate Detroit from playoff contention. Fans at Little Caesars Arena rained down boos after the final buzzer. In his postgame comments, McLellan acknowledged the fans' right to be upset, saying 'they pay to watch us play, and we get paid well to perform for them, and they're fully entitled to their opinion'.

  • The Red Wings were first in the Eastern Conference on January 25th and had an 89% chance to make the playoffs.
  • The Red Wings' 5-3 loss to the Devils on April 13, 2026 officially eliminated them from playoff contention.

The players

Todd McLellan

Head coach of the Detroit Red Wings.

Emmitt Finnie

Rookie forward for the Detroit Red Wings who scored a goal in the loss to the Devils.

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What they’re saying

“This 'outside noise' stuff or whatever (the players bring up about media criticism), that's inside noise. Those are our fans in our building, and they pay to watch us play, and we get paid well to perform for them, and they're fully entitled to their opinion, and we deserve their opinion. There's no other way to sugarcoat it. That's what we earned.”

— Todd McLellan, Head Coach

What’s next

The Red Wings now head into an offseason full of questions as they try to figure out how to end their 10-year playoff drought and take the next step forward as a franchise.

The takeaway

McLellan's blunt comments reflect the growing frustration within the Red Wings organization over their inability to return to the playoffs. The team's late-season collapse, after being in first place in the Eastern Conference in January, has left the fanbase disillusioned and the franchise searching for answers.