In a span of 40 days, the Red Wings seem to have transformed into another team, moving up to the top wild card spot. They have fashioned two seven-game winning streaks and McLellan’s 15-4-1 record ties Mike Babcock for the best 20-game start with the club for a Red Wings coach.

How a road map, "harder, faster, smarter" practices, work boots, and forgetting have powered the Red Wings renaissance under Todd McLellan

The Red Wings just put together their second seven-game winning streak under new head coach Todd McLellan. "Obviously, I'm not sure any of us thought we'd be in this position," Patrick Kane said. "You gotta give Todd a lot of credit too.

Following sweeping their three-game homestand earlier in January, the Red Wings powered through their Northwestern road trip, beating the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken to extend their win streak to seven games. It is the second time this season Detroit has won that many games in a row.

Even Patrick Kane had to laugh and admit, “I’m not sure any of us really thought we’d be in this position right now, but what a spot we’re in.”