Detroit Red Wings playoff hopes take another hit with abysmal 1st

PITTSBURGH — The Detroit Red Wings continued to sap their hopes of climbing in the standings, spotting their opponent a three-goal lead inside 20 minutes. It led to what has become a trend: A loss. This time, it was 5-1 at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday, March 31.

The Wings (39-27-8, 86 points, 8 games left) have dropped four of five games, while surrendered five goals in each of the past two games. They finished the month of March 5-7-2. It was the second consecutive games the Wings faced being down 3-0.

This night, it led to goalie John Gibson's departure after the first period. Dylan Larkin scored on a power play in the second period. The Wings showed mettle in the third period, but their comeback hopes faded when Noel Acciari scored from just outside the net despite having Moritz Seider draped on him, giving the Penguins a four-goal lead with eight minutes to play.

HARSH WORDS: Detroit Red Wings 'somewhat embarrassed' as coach renews criticism Playoff picture The Boston Bruins (94 points, 7 games left) beat West contender Dallas to further secure their footing in the second wild-card berth and making a push to get inside the Atlantic Division's top three. First to three When Rickard Rakell took a pass from Sidney Crosby and fired a shot that deflected in off the stick of Alex DeBrincat, it marked the 10th time in 14 games in March that the Wings surrendered the first goal. The only games the Wings were first to find the back of a net were March 2 at the Nashville Predators, March 8 at the New Jersey Devils, March 21 against the Boston Bruins and March 27 at the Buffalo Sabres.