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Vladimir Tarasenko, Detroit Red Wings (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Red Wings’ Third Line Critical to Playoff Push

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Tony Wolak | Last updated Mar 19, 2025 8:35 AM ET

As it currently stands, the Detroit Red Wings are three points back of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. They have 14 games left to make up this ground, plus hope for a little help from other teams around the league.

While the Red Wings can’t control the outcomes of other games, they can take steps to optimize their own performance. One way they can do that is to jumpstart their third line, which currently consists of J.T. Compher, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Jonatan Berggren.

Red Wings Need More from the Third Line

To illustrate the need for more offense from the third line, I took each player’s goals per 60 at five-on-five and added linemates’ numbers together. Here’s the scoring pace for the top three lines:

Five-on-five individual expected goals per 60 paints a similar picture.

To be fair, the players on the third line are there for a reason – there are six more qualified forwards slotting in above them. Still, you want to see more production from what is technically a scoring line.

The reality, though, is that Tarasenko, Compher, and Berggren have all underperformed this season. All three were expected to spend time on Lines 2 and 3, plus the power play, yet their counting totals are less than what I predicted, even with age, contract status, and other variables factored in as well.

Here’s a look at the preseason projections for the three players in question:

Player	GP	G	A	PTS
Vladimir Tarasenko	74	21	31	52
J.T. Compher	80	20	27	47
Jonatan Berggren	67	18	25	43

It should also be noted that Tarasenko, Compher, and Berggren have been deployed pretty evenly against top, middle, and bottom competition throughout the season, according to PuckIQ. They’re not getting special, sheltered treatment, nor are they being relied upon to shut down opponents.

Suffice to say, these three need to score more.

Red Wings Need More Goals

Since the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Red Wings have scored 2.69 goals per game. That’s 20th-best in the NHL during that span.

But, if you take out their seven-goal outburst against the Buffalo Sabres, that number drops to 2.33 goals per game. That would tie them with the Philadelphia Flyers for 29th in goals per game since February 20. That’s not what you want to see from a team fighting for a playoff spot.

Wings fall 4-1 to the Capitals. Looking pretty bleak. Any optimism left Red Wings fans? @georgemalik breaks it down. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/sNaJH4CbYj
— The Flying Octopus Podcast (@FlyingOctoPod) March 19, 2025

Now, with the season on the line, the trio of Compher, Tarasenko, and Berggren have the opportunity to step up when the team needs them most. More production from the third line, plus continued scoring from the top two lines, will go a long way in helping the Red Wings reach the playoffs.

It’s not rocket science. To qualify for the postseason, the Red Wings need to win. And in order to win, they need to score goals.

The third line scored Sunday versus the Vegas Golden Knights. Well, technically Albert Johansson did, but all three third line forwards touched the puck just prior to the goal. Then, they looked awful Tuesday night in Washington.

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Now, it’s up to Tarasenko, Compher, and Berggren to step up with the season on the line. Otherwise, it would come as no surprise if one—or perhaps more—finds themselves on the move this summer.

Data courtesy of Natural Stat Trick, NHL.com, and Puck IQ.