Slumping Jackets, Wings Meet With Playoff Spot Within Reach

Both teams are desperate for a win to revive their fading playoff hopes.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:25am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, breaking a hockey game between two teams down into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of color and form, conveying the intensity and high stakes of the matchup.The intense battle between the slumping Blue Jackets and Red Wings is captured in a cubist, geometric illustration that reflects the high stakes and desperate need for a win by both teams.Columbus Today

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings, two struggling Eastern Conference teams, will face off on Tuesday night as they try to keep their fading playoff hopes alive. The Blue Jackets have lost six straight games, while the Red Wings have dropped six of their last eight. Both teams are looking to turn things around and secure a postseason berth.

Why it matters

The Blue Jackets and Red Wings are in a tight race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With only a few games left in the regular season, this matchup could have a significant impact on their chances of making the playoffs. A win for either team could give them a much-needed boost in the standings.

The details

The Blue Jackets' offense has stalled during their recent slide, scoring a total of just 10 goals in the last six games. Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness has called on his team to change their mindset and be more aggressive in their approach. Meanwhile, the Red Wings rallied from a 4-1 deficit against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, but a late penalty by Patrick Kane led to the game-winning goal for the Wild. Red Wings coach Todd McLellan has expressed frustration with his team's tendency to crumble when things don't go their way.

  • The Blue Jackets and Red Wings will face off on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • The Blue Jackets lost at home to the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • The Red Wings rallied from a 4-1 deficit against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Zach Werenski

A defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets who believes the team can turn things around and make the playoffs.

Rick Bowness

The head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who has called on his team to change their mindset and be more aggressive.

Patrick Kane

A forward for the Detroit Red Wings who took a costly penalty late in the game against the Minnesota Wild.

Todd McLellan

The head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, who has expressed frustration with his team's tendency to crumble when things don't go their way.

J.T. Compher

A center for the Detroit Red Wings who believes the team needs to play with the same intensity they showed in the third period for the entire game.

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What they’re saying

“I'll just keep our conversation in here because we're a better team than what we've shown and just talked about it. We're not eliminated. We're still in it and I believe in this group. I believe we can get it done and it's just doing it.”

— Zach Werenski, Defenseman, Columbus Blue Jackets

“We create the second most chances on the forecheck in the entire league. Yet we want to get inside the blue line and make cute little plays against good teams that aren't working. And they're not working. So, I have to get after them. They've got to change their mindset.”

— Rick Bowness, Head Coach, Columbus Blue Jackets

“We get the comeback and take a penalty 150 feet from our net not even in the play. It hurts.”

— Todd McLellan, Head Coach, Detroit Red Wings

“(We need to) play like we did in the third period more of the game. We gave ourselves a chance. If we start better, it makes a little easier on us. The way we played in the third, we have to play for the rest of the games remaining.”

— J.T. Compher, Center, Detroit Red Wings

What’s next

The Blue Jackets and Red Wings will face off again on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in a crucial game that could have major implications for their playoff hopes.

The takeaway

This matchup between the struggling Blue Jackets and Red Wings highlights the tight race for playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Both teams will need to find a way to turn their recent slumps around and play with a renewed sense of urgency if they want to secure a postseason berth.