Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Red Wings score third goal in first period in must-win game against Sabres

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 4/7/24

The Detroit Red Wings are off to a fast start in a must-win game against the Buffalo Sabres.

With 7:37 left in the first period, Detroit center Dylan Larkin scored a goal on a snapshot, assisted by David Perron and Lucas Raymond, giving the Red Wings a 3-0 lead.

The Captain on the power play pic.twitter.com/91p20rkGWH
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 7, 2024

The Red Wings (37-31-8) are 4-11-4 since Feb. 28 and have fallen out of the playoff picture. However, they received a break when the Washington Capitals (36-30-10) lost 4-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday.

Washington and Detroit face off on Tuesday night in a game that could determine the playoff picture. Along with the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins, each team is vying for the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Red Wings have a 37.9 percent chance of making the playoffs, per ESPN.com. A win against the Sabres will increase their chances.

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