List of Detroit Red Wings seasons

The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL)[1] and are one of the Original Six teams of the league.[2] Founded in 1926, the team was known as the Cougars from then until 1930. For the 1930–31 and 1931–32 seasons the team was called the Falcons, and in 1932 changed their name to the Red Wings.[3] The 2023–24 season was the 98th for the Detroit franchise. Since their founding, the Red Wings have won 3,097 regular season games, accumulated 19 division championships and six conference championships, led the league in points 18 times, appeared in the Stanley Cup playoffs 64 times, and won 11 Stanley Cup titles.[4]

In the front row, Nicklas Lidstrom holds a Red Wings jersey with the last name "BUSH" and the number "41" while George W. Bush holds a Red Wings jersey with the last name "BUSH" and the number "43". To Lidstrom's right is the Stanley Cup. Second row, left to right: Mike Babcock, Ken Holland, Jim Devellano, Jim Nill, unknown man. Third row, left to right: Kris Draper, Pavel Datsyuk, Mikael Samuelsson, Brian Rafalski, Derek Meech, Kirk Maltby, Chris Osgood, Aaron Downey.
The 2008 Stanley Cup champion Red Wings present two jerseys to U.S. President George W. Bush.

Detroit first qualified for the playoffs in 1929 where they lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs 7–2 in total goals scored.[5] In the 38 seasons from 1929 to 1966 the team missed the playoffs only six times.[6][7][8] They appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals 18 times during this period, winning the Stanley Cup in seven of those opportunities, with their championships coming in 1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, and 1955. Their last Finals appearance of this era came in 1966 when they lost in six games to the Montreal Canadiens. The Red Wings then experienced a period, from 1967 until 1983, when they made the playoffs only twice, winning only one series, beating the Atlanta Flames two games to none in 1978.[8]

The Red Wings returned to the playoffs in 1984 where they suffered a first round defeat to the St. Louis Blues. In the 36 seasons since then they have made the playoffs 30 times, including 25 consecutive seasons from 1991 to 2016 (not counting the cancelled 2004–05 season). They returned to the Finals for the first time since 1966 in 1995 where they were swept by the New Jersey Devils in four games. However, in 1997 they made it back to the Finals, winning the series in four straight games over the Philadelphia Flyers. They repeated as champions in the following season with a four-game sweep of the Washington Capitals. Their most recent championships were in 2002 and 2008, with their most recent Finals appearance in 2009 where they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins.[8]

Table key

Key of colors and symbols
Color/symbolExplanation
Stanley Cup champions
Conference champions
Division champions
#Led league in points
Key of terms and abbreviations
Term or abbreviationDefinition
FinishFinal position in division or league standings
GPNumber of games played
WNumber of wins
LNumber of losses
TNumber of ties
OTNumber of losses in overtime (since the 1999–2000 season)
PtsNumber of points
GFGoals for (goals scored by the Red Wings)
GAGoals against (goals scored by the Red Wings' opponents)
Does not apply
TGTwo-game total goals series

Year by year

Year by year listing of all seasons played by the Detroit Red Wings
NHL seasonFranchise seasonConferenceDivisionRegular season[3][6][7][8]Postseason
FinishGPWLTOTPtsGFGAGPWLTGFGAResult
Detroit Cougars[a]
1926–271926–27American[b]5th44122842876105Did not qualify
1927–281927–28American4th4419196448879Did not qualify
1928–291928–29American3rd4419169477263202027Lost Quarterfinals to Toronto Maple Leafs, 2–7 (TG)[5]
1929–301929–30American4th441424634117133Did not qualify
Detroit Falcons[c]
1930–311930–31American4th441621739102105Did not qualify
1931–321931–32American3rd481820104695108201113Lost Quarterfinals to Montreal Maroons, 1–3 (TG)[9]
Detroit Red Wings[d]
1932–331932–33American2nd48251585811193422088Won Quarterfinals vs. Montreal Maroons, 5–2 (TG)
Lost Semifinals to New York Rangers, 3–6 (TG)[10]
1933–341933–34American↑1st48241410581139894501821Won Semifinals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 3–2
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Chicago Black Hawks, 1–3[11]
1934–351934–35American4th48192274511888Did not qualify
1935–361935–36American↑1st482416856#12410376102412Won Semifinals vs. Montreal Maroons, 3–0
Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 3–1[12]
1936–371936–37American↑1st482514959#128102106402216Won Semifinals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 3–2
Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. New York Rangers, 3–2[13]
1937–381937–38American4th481225113599133Did not qualify
1938–391938–39[e]5th48182464210712863301615Won Quarterfinals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 2–1
Lost Semifinals to Toronto Maple Leafs, 1–2[14]
1939–401939–405th4816266389012652301112Won Quarterfinals vs. New York Americans, 2–1
Lost Semifinals to Toronto Maple Leafs, 0–2[15]
1940–411940–413rd482116115311210294501720Won Quarterfinals vs. New York Rangers, 2–1
Won Semifinals vs. Chicago Black Hawks, 2–0
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Boston Bruins, 0–4[16]
1941–421941–425th481925442140147127503638Won Quarterfinals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 2–1
Won Semifinals vs. Boston Bruins, 2–0
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Toronto Maple Leafs, 3–4[17]
1942–431942–431st5025141161#169124108203622Won Semifinals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–2
Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. Boston Bruins, 4–0[18]
1943–441943–442nd5026186582141775140817Lost Semifinals to Chicago Black Hawks, 1–4[19]
1944–451944–452nd503114567218161147703131Won Semifinals vs. Boston Bruins, 4–3
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Toronto Maple Leafs, 3–4[20]
1945–461945–464th502020105014615951401016Lost Semifinals to Boston Bruins, 1–4[21]
1946–471946–474th602227115519019351401418Lost Semifinals to Toronto Maple Leafs, 1–4[22]
1947–481947–482nd6030181272187148104602430Won Semifinals vs. New York Rangers, 4–2
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Toronto Maple Leafs, 0–4[23]
1948–491948–491st603419775#195145114702226Won Semifinals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 4–3
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Toronto Maple Leafs, 0–4[24]
1949–501949–501st7037191488#229164148603228Won Semifinals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–3
Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. New York Rangers, 4–3[25]
1950–511950–511st70441313101#23613962401213Lost Semifinals to Montreal Canadiens, 2–4[26]
1951–521951–521st70441412100#2151338800245Won Semifinals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–0
Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 4–0[27]
1952–531952–531st7036161890#22213362402121Lost Semifinals to Boston Bruins, 2–4[28]
1953–541953–541st7037191488#191132128402920Won Semifinals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–1
Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 4–3[29]
1954–551954–551st7042171195#204134118304126Won Semifinals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–0
Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 4–3[30]
1955–561955–562nd7030241676183148105502328Won Semifinals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–1
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Montreal Canadiens, 1–4[31]
1956–571956–571st7038201288#19815751401415Lost Semifinals to Boston Bruins, 1–4[32]
1957–581957–583rd70292912701762074040619Lost Semifinals to Montreal Canadiens, 0–4[33]
1958–591958–596th702537858167218Did not qualify
1959–601959–604th702629156718619762401620Lost Semifinals to Toronto Maple Leafs, 2–4[34]
1960–611960–614th7025291666195215116502727Won Semifinals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–1
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Chicago Black Hawks, 2–4[35]
1961–621961–625th7023331460184219Did not qualify
1962–631962–634th7032251377200194115603536Won Semifinals vs. Chicago Black Hawks, 4–2
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Toronto Maple Leafs, 1–4[36]
1963–641963–644th7030291171191204147704140Won Semifinals vs. Chicago Black Hawks, 4–3
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Toronto Maple Leafs, 3–4[37]
1964–651964–651st704023787#22417573401923Lost Semifinals to Chicago Black Hawks, 3–4[38]
1965–661965–664th7031271274221194126603628Won Semifinals vs. Chicago Black Hawks, 4–2
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Montreal Canadiens, 2–4[39]
1966–671966–675th702739458212241Did not qualify
1967–681967–68East[f]6th7427351266245257Did not qualify
1968–691968–69East5th7633311278239221Did not qualify
1969–701969–70East3rd76402115952461994040816Lost Quarterfinals to Chicago Black Hawks, 0–4[40]
1970–711970–71East7th7822451155209308Did not qualify
1971–721971–72East5th7833351076261262Did not qualify
1972–731972–73East5th7837291286265243Did not qualify
1973–741973–74East6th7829391068255319Did not qualify
1974–751974–75Wales[g]Norris4th8023451258259335Did not qualify
1975–761975–76WalesNorris4th8026441062226300Did not qualify
1976–771976–77WalesNorris5th801655941183309Did not qualify
1977–781977–78WalesNorris2nd803234147825226673401829Won Preliminary Round vs. Atlanta Flames, 2–0
Lost Quarterfinals to Montreal Canadiens, 1–4[41]
1978–791978–79WalesNorris5th8023411662252295Did not qualify
1979–801979–80WalesNorris5th8026431163268306Did not qualify
1980–811980–81WalesNorris5th8019431856252339Did not qualify
1981–821981–82Campbell[h]Norris6th8021471254270351Did not qualify
1982–831982–83CampbellNorris5th8021441557263344Did not qualify
1983–841983–84CampbellNorris3rd80314276929832341301213Lost Division semifinals to St. Louis Blues, 1–3[42]
1984–851984–85CampbellNorris3rd80274112663133573030823Lost Division semifinals to Chicago Black Hawks, 0–3[43]
1985–861985–86CampbellNorris5th801757640266415Did not qualify
1986–871986–87CampbellNorris2nd8034361078260274169704540Won Division semifinals vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 4–0
Won Division finals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–3
Lost Conference finals to Edmonton Oilers, 1–4[44]
1987–881987–88CampbellNorris↑1st8041281193322269169706957Won Division semifinals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–2
Won Division finals vs. St. Louis Blues, 4–1
Lost Conference finals to Edmonton Oilers, 1–4[45]
1988–891988–89CampbellNorris↑1st803434128031331662401825Lost Division semifinals to Chicago Blackhawks, 2–4[46]
1989–901989–90CampbellNorris5th8028381470288323Did not qualify
1990–911990–91CampbellNorris3rd80343887627329873402024Lost Division semifinals to St. Louis Blues, 3–4[47]
1991–921991–92CampbellNorris↑1st8043251298320256114702930Won Division semifinals vs. Minnesota North Stars, 4–3
Lost Division finals to Chicago Blackhawks, 0–4[48]
1992–931992–93CampbellNorris2nd844728910336928073403024Lost Division semifinals to Toronto Maple Leafs, 3–4[49]
1993–941993–94Western[i]Central1st844630810035627573402721Lost conference quarterfinals to San Jose Sharks, 3–4[50]
1994–95[j]1994–95Western‡Central↑1st483311470#1801171812606144Won conference quarterfinals vs. Dallas Stars, 4–1
Won Conference semifinals vs. San Jose Sharks, 4–0
Won Conference finals vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 4–1
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to New Jersey Devils, 0–4[51]
1995–961995–96WesternCentral↑1st8262137131#3251811910905846Won conference quarterfinals vs. Winnipeg Jets, 4–2
Won Conference semifinals vs. St. Louis Blues, 4–3
Lost Conference finals to Colorado Avalanche, 2–4[52]
1996–971996–97Western‡Central2nd82382618942531972016405838Won conference quarterfinals vs. St. Louis Blues, 4–2
Won Conference semifinals vs. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 4–0
Won Conference finals vs. Colorado Avalanche, 4–2
Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 4–0[53]
1997–981997–98Western‡Central2nd824423151032501962216607549Won conference quarterfinals vs. Phoenix Coyotes, 4–2
Won Conference semifinals vs. St. Louis Blues, 4–2
Won Conference finals vs. Dallas Stars, 4–2
Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. Washington Capitals, 4–0[54]
1998–991998–99WesternCentral↑1st824332793245202106403127Won conference quarterfinals vs. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 4–0
Lost Conference semifinals to Colorado Avalanche, 2–4[55]
1999–20001999–2000WesternCentral2nd824822102[k]10827821095402319Won conference quarterfinals vs. Los Angeles Kings, 4–0
Lost Conference semifinals to Colorado Avalanche, 1–4[56]
2000–012000–01WesternCentral↑1st8249209411125320262401715Lost conference quarterfinals to Los Angeles Kings, 2–4[57]
2001–022001–02Western‡Central↑1st825117104116#2511872316707247Won conference quarterfinals vs. Vancouver Canucks, 4–2
Won Conference semifinals vs. St. Louis Blues, 4–1
Won Conference finals vs. Colorado Avalanche, 4–3
Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. Carolina Hurricanes, 4–1[58]
2002–032002–03WesternCentral↑1st8248201041102692034040610Lost conference quarterfinals to Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 0–4[59]
2003–042003–04WesternCentral↑1st824821112109#255189126602420Won conference quarterfinals vs. Nashville Predators, 4–2
Lost Conference semifinals to Calgary Flames, 2–4[60]
2004–05[l]2004–05WesternCentralNo playoffs due to lockout
2005–062005–06WesternCentral↑1st825816[m]8124#30520962401719Lost conference quarterfinals to Edmonton Oilers, 2–4[61]
2006–072006–07WesternCentral↑1st825019131132541991810804835Won conference quarterfinals vs. Calgary Flames, 4–2
Won Conference semifinals vs. San Jose Sharks, 4–2
Lost Conference finals to Anaheim Ducks, 2–4[62]
2007–082007–08Western‡Central↑1st8254217115#2571842216607241Won conference quarterfinals vs. Nashville Predators, 4–2
Won Conference semifinals vs. Colorado Avalanche, 4–0
Won Conference finals vs. Dallas Stars, 4–2
Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 4–2[63]
2008–092008–09Western‡Central↑1st825121101122952442315807648Won conference quarterfinals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 4–0
Won Conference semifinals vs. Anaheim Ducks, 4–3
Won Conference finals vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 4–1
Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 3–4[64]
2009–102009–10WesternCentral2nd82442414102229216125704333Won conference quarterfinals vs. Phoenix Coyotes, 4–3
Lost Conference semifinals to San Jose Sharks, 1–4[65]
2010–112010–11WesternCentral↑1st82472510104261241117403628Won conference quarterfinals vs. Phoenix Coyotes, 4–0
Lost Conference semifinals to San Jose Sharks, 3–4[66]
2011–122011–12WesternCentral3rd82482861022482035140913Lost conference quarterfinals to Nashville Predators, 1–4[67]
2012–13[n]2012–13WesternCentral3rd482416856124115147703337Won conference quarterfinals vs. Anaheim Ducks, 4–3
Lost Conference semifinals to Chicago Blackhawks, 3–4[68]
2013–142013–14Eastern[o]Atlantic4th82392815932222305140612Lost First round to Boston Bruins, 1–4[69]
2014–152014–15EasternAtlantic3rd8243251410023522173401517Lost First round to Tampa Bay Lightning, 3–4[70]
2015–162015–16EasternAtlantic3rd82413011932112245140812Lost First round to Tampa Bay Lightning, 1–4[71]
2016–172016–17EasternAtlantic7th8233361379207244Did not qualify
2017–182017–18EasternAtlantic5th8230391373217255Did not qualify
2018–192018–19EasternAtlantic7th8232401074227277Did not qualify
2019–20 [p]2019–20EasternAtlantic8th711749539145267Did not qualify
2020–21 [q]2020–21Central7th5619271048127171Did not qualify
2021–222021–22EasternAtlantic5th8232401074230312Did not qualify
2022–232022–23EasternAtlantic7th8235371080240279Did not qualify
2023–242023–24EasternAtlantic5th824132991278274Did not qualify
Totals6,8073,0972,6838152127,22120,84820,33962232529611,7481,575

Notes

References

External links