Columbus vs Detroit: Must-Win Game

0:00It's April 6th, this is NHL News Today, powered by AI, your team, your update. Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings are still scrapping for playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, even if things look rough. Both teams sit just below the cut line, and Tuesday's matchup at Little Caesars Arena could change everything. The winner hits 90 points, matching the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators, who hold the wildcard and third in the Metro. The Jackets switched coaches on January 12th, sparking a 19-win three-loss, four overtime hot streak that vaulted them up the standings. But they've dropped their last six games, including a tight loss to Winnipeg on Saturday. Players held a team meeting, and coach Rick Bound is stressed simple plays, better puck control, and pushing forward instead of hanging back. Frustration is real on both sides, but these guys insist they're not done fighting. The Jackets have a May playoffs in five years, and defenseman Zach Warnsky says they're still locked in as a unit.

1:00For Detroit, the pressure weighs heavier with a nine-year drought, the longest in their century of history. The Red Wings topped the East back on January 25th, but have stumbled hard since, going eight wins, 13 losses, three overtime defeats. They've lost four straight home games in regulation, crumbling after early leads, like Sunday's wild comeback, that ended in a power play loss too. Minnesota. Coach Todd McLeanling calls it a wave of ups and downs they got to fix. This games a must-win lifeline, whoever grabs those two points, rides momentum into the final stretch, while the loser faces elimination math closing. In fast.