DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings are doing everything they can to stay in the playoff race, and a win over their longtime rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks, on Friday night will keep things rolling.

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The Red Wings continue to chug along into 2025, and, as of Friday, have the longest active winning streak in the NHL, winning each of their last five games. It certainly has not been easy for the club. Along with pulling out wins over the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals, Detroit was tasked with beating the Central Division-leading Winnipeg Jets, and rallying back in the third period to beat the Ottawa Senators in overtime on Tuesday night.

It is a testament to how this team has bought into what new head coach Todd McLellan has been selling. The team is 5-1 under their new bench boss and, despite still being seventh in the Atlantic Division, are four points back of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Blackhawks are nowhere near any postseason conversation. Even with the bright young star of theirs, reigning Calder Trophy winner Connor Bedard, the team has been abysmal for long stretches this year. Along with getting embarrassed by the St. Louis Blues at the Winter Classic on New Year’s Eve, Chicago has lost six of its last eight games, and hold the worst record in the NHL.

This will be the final meeting of the season between the longtime Original Six rivals. The Wings beat the Hawks 4-1 in Chicago in early November.