Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Road Trip Complete, What’s Next for Detroit

Originally posted on Inside The Rink
By Alexander DeBerardinis | Last updated Dec 17, 2025 1:12 PM ET

After a very good 4-1-1 road trip, the Red Wings return to home ice for a few games. Detroit has been able to hold onto a divisional spot through this stretch, albeit with some extra games played. Despite the level of competition being sup-par, the Red Wings were able to impose their will against the lesser teams that they have been up against. That is, unfortunately, a luxury that won’t hold much longer. Detroit is taking on some of the better teams in both the East and the NHL in this coming stretch. So here is what to look for.

https://feeds.simplecast.com/oKqHSPk7

Islanders at Red Wings:

Previous Games: Islanders 7-2, Islanders 5-0

Notes: The Red Wings have struggled massively against the Islanders this season. No longer the boring team they once were, Schaefer has been able to seriously raise the competitive level of this team. Luckily, the red-hot Bo Horvat will be sidelined for at least the next week. The Red Wings will be able to take on the Islanders, who are missing their top centre, but the Red Wings will be without Patrick Kane.

Date: December 16, 2025

NHL Game Preview: New York Islanders at Detroit Red Wings with Line Combinations 12/16/2025

Mammoth at Red Wings:

Previous Games: N/A

Notes: The Red Wings take on a team they have historically struggled with. Having not beaten the Mammoth yet while also struggling massively the past few seasons against the Coyotes, the Red Wings have a test at hand. Both teams will be on the second leg of a back-to-back, but Detroit will be lucky enough to do it without travel. Patrick Kane is out for this game. Logan Cooley is day-to-day, and Alex Kerfoot is on injured reserve.

Date: December 17, 2025

NHL Game Preview: Utah Mammoth at Detroit Red Wings with Line Combinations 12/17/2025

Red Wings at Capitals:

Previous Games: N/A

Notes: The first leg of a home-and-home will be in Washington. The injury-ridden Capitals are hoping to get at least one of Dubois, Strome, or Leonard back by the time Detroit visits them this weekend. Similarly, Detroit may have Patrick Kane back in time for this one. The Capitals infamously took the final wild card spot from the Red Wings two seasons ago, so there may be some grudge held.

Date: December 20, 2025

Capitals at Red Wings:

Previous Games: N/A

Notes: This is the second night of the home-and-home, and this is the one Detroit will have at home. Both teams are going to be looking to get healthy by this point in the week. The Capitals have been one of the stronger teams in a tight Metropolitan Division race, so they are very unlikely to go down without a fight for these games.

Date: December 21, 2025

More to Read:

This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: