Seider Takes Over as Wings Sweep Caps, Lead the Atlantic

The Red Wings are rolling — and Moritz Seider is driving the bus.

In this short pre-game episode before puck drop against the Stars, we break down Detroit’s back-to-back wins over the Washington Capitals, capped by Seider’s overtime game-winner and another dominant weekend from Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond.

The Wings are now first in the Atlantic by points and points percentage, tied for third-most regulation wins in the Eastern Conference, and — most importantly — winning games the right way, not by sneaking into overtime.

What’s fueling the surge?

December has been Detroit’s “regression to the mean” month — in the best possible way.

5-on-5 (Dec 1–23):

• 10.44% shooting percentage
• 92.47% save percentage
• 1.029 PDO (top-tier puck luck and performance)

All strengths (Dec 1–23):

• 12.62% shooting percentage
• 91.29% save percentage
• 1.039 PDO

Detroit still ranks bottom-10 in high-danger shooting percentage, but here’s the key shift:

• 4th-best high-danger save percentage in the NHL
• Best medium-danger shooting percentage in the league

In other words: the Wings are finishing from dangerous mid-ice areas, protecting the slot better, and finally getting goaltending results that match their structure.

We also dig into:

• Why the Washington wins matter against one of the NHL’s elite defensive teams
• Moritz Seider leading the entire NHL in Goals Above Replacement (GAR)
  • What GAR actually measures
  • Why it belongs in the Norris and Hart Trophy conversation
• Andrew Copp’s resurgence since returning from core surgery and stabilizing the second line
• DeBrincat and Raymond producing at a true point-per-game pace
• A quick look at John Leonard’s hot start, what’s real, and what will cool off

This episode is a snapshot of a Red Wings team playing structured hockey, stacking regulation wins, and getting elite value from its best player — right before the Stars come to town.

Red Wings Rant: Where tirades and impassioned pleas about your Detroit Red Wings finally have a home. 

J