Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen discusses how the Red Wings might reach a playoff-worthy level of goal-scoring this upcoming season, over the course of an interesting mid-summer exercise:
Everyone in the NHL, including the Detroit Red Wings, understand that being dominant in one area of hockey doesn’t guarantee success. The Buffalo Sabres finished third in goal scoring last season and missed the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season.
The Sabres were done in by inferior goaltending, inexperience and inconsistent defensive play. It doesn’t matter if you can score 3.57 goals per game if you’re giving up 3.62 goals per game.
But Buffalo’s 2023-24 woes don’t change the truth that team goal scoring is a predictor of season success. Defense and goaltending historically do win championships, but being one of the top 12 scoring teams gives you a high probability of making the playoffs.
One of GM Steve Yzerman’s offseason priorities was improving the team’s offense
In a recent subscription story, Detroit Hockey Now pointed out that 11 of the 12 highest scoring teams made the playoffs. Thirteen of the top 15 scoring teams (86.6%) qualified for the playoffs. Those top 15 scoring teams all scored 271 or more goals over 82 games. That number will change this season, but it’s a good jumping off point to determine how much more productive the Red Wings need to be this season.
The Red Wings scored 237 goals last season. That means they need a 14.3% increase in scoring this season to get to 271.
