For weeks now, looking ahead to this weekend on the Detroit Red Wings’ schedule was a cautionary exercise. The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers — two of the league’s best (and toughest) teams — represented all the reasons the Red Wings couldn’t afford to squander other games.

In two weeks, the Detroit Red Wings will either be preparing for the playoffs for the first time in nine years – or for a long offseason. That's how little time they have left. Between now and the end of the regular season on April 17 lies just eight games.

The whole strength-of-schedule argument that was going to work against the Red Wings during this playoff chase hasn’t yet been much of a thing. Part of it is the Wings playing

The Panthers were without Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett — arguably their best four forwards — and defensemen Aaron Ekblad (suspension) and Gustav Forsling.

Cam Talbot made more than 30 saves as the Wings kept their playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers.

DETROIT—Sunday night at Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Red Wings host the Florida Panthers, looking to build on the success of Friday night's win over Carolina and keep pace in the desperate chase for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.