'Embarrassed' Red Wings head home for summer smarting from flat finish

Detroit — The Red Wings were, again, for the 10th consecutive year, cleaning out their lockers, holding exit meetings, and preparing for another long summer Friday rather than preparing for the first round of the NHL playoffs. Something about this particular one, though, might have stung a bit more than the others. The fact the Wings were playing so well the first half of the season.

They were among the Eastern Conference leaders even into the month of January, 12 points clear of making the playoffs. They made two key acquisitions at the trade deadline (defenseman Justin Faulk , forward David Perron ). The stars appeared aligned to finally play Stanley Cup playoff hockey.

But the inevitable collapse, again, happened. The Wings only won eight of their final 24 games (8-12-4) and plummeted down the standings. It was a weary, frustrated and sullen group of Wings meeting the media Friday at Little Caesars Arena.

"Frustration, honestly disbelief," forward Alex DeBrincat said of how he felt about the season. "From where we were, and are, it's not acceptable. We're embarrassed with the spot where we are.