The Detroit Red Wings, despite the limited expectations set in front of them before the 2026-27 began, have found themselves at the end of the first month of the season one win away from a .500 record.

That’s despite the fact that the team is missing a captain on ice, and now has two disgruntled players sitting out of the lineup as they await a trade. Still, their surprisingly strong start seems to be the results of an identity and culture taking root amongst the roster that in years past, simply did not present itself.

“We’re developing an identity. I can’t say that my first year in a bit that we really had an identity.” Head coach Todd McLellan said after the team’s 4-1 victory over Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks.

“We tried to get to it, but we never did. I think we’re starting to develop one, and if the groundwork is being laid, that means we’re having a good start. Forget about points and playoffs and everything else.”

Not point-less

It’s still early in the season for Detroit, and this is a squad that has seemingly improved out of the gate only to suffer a disappointing March collapse that for the past three years has kept the Red Wings out of the playoffs. However, the Red Wings are playing the right kind of hockey, keeping the scores close, and taking the opportunities they’re presented, even if they’re not the cleanest looks.

“We might not be the most skilled team, but we’re sticking together. We’re playing as a 5-man unit out there, and it’s showing,” Alex DeBrincat said, “We’re scoring goals, some dirty goals, and finding a way to get some points.”

The Red Wings certainly aren’t headlining as playoff contenders this year, but they’re winning close games, and have so far only let in seven third period goals across the first thirteen games of their season. These Red Wings get better the longer they play, and have managed to come back to win the game five times when the opponent scores on them first.

Perhaps no one exemplifies that better than Mo Seider, who has been averaging a career high 26 minutes a night on the blueline.

“I think we want this to be a proud organization, and we want players to be here and want to be here long term. And hopefully, we can set a great example during the course of the year, and as you said, continue to prove people wrong.” Seider said.

Uncharted waters

The Red Wings, for the first time since before they last made the playoffs, don’t expect Dylan Larkin to play another period for their team this year. Detroit is having to rely on a gritty group of players and plenty of self belief.

“We’re going to get better, but I think the group as a whole understands how we have to win games, and I think that they have bought into that so far.” McLellan said.

The Red Wings, are, for the most part, winning the games they should be winning, with victories against the Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Vancouver Canucks, who have all had their early season struggles. However, this is a group operating on razor thin margins, and they currently hold a losing record in one goal games and a 3-3 record in games with a 2+ goal differential.

“We’ve changed some things systematically that it takes time to understand it. All the pieces have to go together,” McLellan said, “Everybody has a responsibility, and it’s not an easy thing to learn. But once you get it, it self polices. It creates accountability.”

The Red Wings certainly look like a far more disciplined, and structurally sound unit, at the very least in their top six. After their latest victory, that’s been without Larkin in the lineup, which could not be said after the first two games of their season.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily been easy, but we’ve come together as a group and decided we’re going to stick up for each other, play for each other every day, and come to the rink, work hard, and you know that’s the culture we’re setting here. So yeah, we’re going to move forward, and we’re going to be fine.” DeBrincat said.