Red Wings’ third-line crucial playoffs – Hockey Writer – Detroit Red Wings

For now, Detroit Red Wings is the final wildcard three-pointer for the Eastern Conference. They have 14 games left to make up for this position and hope to get help from other teams in the league.

Although Red Wings can’t control the results of other games, they can take steps to optimize their performance. One way they can do this is to start their third line, currently consisting of JT Comppher, Vladimir Tarasenko and Jonatan Berggren.

Red Wings need to be from the third line

To illustrate the offensive needs in the third row, I took each player’s goal with a five-on-five-on-five-point goal and added together the team’s numbers. This is the scoring speed of the first three lines:

• Soderblom – Larkin – Raymond: 2.15 goals per 60 goals
• Debrincat – Kasper – Kane: 2.32 goals per 60 goals
• Berggren – Comppher – Tarasenko: 1.27 goals per 60 goals

Similar images were drawn for every 60 five-on-five expected goals.

To be fair, there is a reason the third row players are there – there are six qualified forwards on top. Still, you want to see more production from the technical score line.

The reality, though, is that Tarasenko, the competitors and Berggren are all underperforming this season. All three are expected to spend time on lines 2 and 3, plus strong play, but their total count is less than I expected, even at age, contract status, and other variables considered.

Here is a pre-season prediction about the three players:

According to Puckiq, Tarasenko, contenders and Berggren have been deployed fairly evenly throughout the season in top, mid- and bottom matches. They did not become special, asylum treatment, nor did they rely on them to close their opponents.

It can be said that these three need more.

Red Wings Need More Targets

Since the four countries confronted each, Red Wings have scored 2.69 goals per game. During this period, it was the 20th largest in the NHL.

But if you made a 7-goal burst against the Buffalo Sabres, the number per game dropped to 2.33 goals. They have scored their 29th goal with the Philadelphia Flyers since February 20. This is not what you want to see from the teams that are striving for the playoffs.

The wings fell in the capital 4-1. It looks very desolate. Are there any optimistic people who leave Red Wings fans behind? @georgemalik Break it. #lgrw pic.twitter.com/snajh4cbyj

– Flying Octopus Podcast (@flyingoctopod) March 19, 2025

Now, with the season on the way, the trio of Comppher, Tarasenko and Berggren has a chance to strengthen when the team needs it most. More production in the third line, coupled with the continued scoring in the first two rows, will go a long way in helping the Red Wings enter the playoffs.

This is not rocket science. To qualify for the playoffs, Red Wings need to win. In order to win, they need to score goals.

The third line scored with the Vegas Golden Cavaliers. Well, technically Albert Johansson did it, but before the goal, all the third-tier forwards hit the hockey. Then, they looked bad in Washington on Tuesday night.

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Now, it depends on Tarasenko, Comprehensive and Berggren to strengthen the season. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be surprising if you find yourself this summer, or more.

Data is provided by Natural Statistics Tips, NHL.com and Puck IQ.