After barely squeaking into the playoffs to make their 25th straight appearance, the Red Wings looked like they didn't belong. The Tampa Bay Lightning quickly disposed of the Red Wings in five games. They were unable to win a playoff game unless Petr Mrazek pitched a shutout.

Things did not get better for the Red Wings this off-season, as they lost franchise centerpiece Pavel Datsyuk when the Russian moved back to his home country. However, the Red Wings still have to believe that they can make the playoffs for a 26th straight year. What do they have to do to make the playoffs?

1.Expand the Role of Petr Mrazek

I pointed out that Mrazek was the Red Wings top player last post season, with his shutout being the Red Wings sole victory. He has proven to be a clutch player, with a 1.88 GAA and a 93.1 SV% so far in his young playoff career. Despite his consistent performances, Mrazek only started in 49 games last year. The Red Wings need their best players to be out on the ice, so an easy way of improving their record will be starting star goalie Mrazek more often.

2.Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar Need to Score

Two years ago, Nyquist and Tatar combined for 56 goals and looked like they were on the rise. Last year though, their production fell to 44 goals and the team finished 23rd in offense. Without Datsyuk, the Red Wings need offense and the two young guns appear to have the ability to score in bunches. Jeff Blashill was brought in because it was thought he would improve the young players on the Red Wings roster, now he has to find out how he will get Nyquist and Tatar scoring again.

3.Better Play From Best Defenders

When the team brought in Mike Green from Washington, it was thought that he would form an excellent top pair with Niklas Kronwall. It was a struggle however. Kronwall was a -21 +/- while Green was eventually moved off the top line. With the amount of money being dished out to these two, they need to really improve their play.

4.Dylan Larkin Needs to Try to Fill Datsyuk’s Shoes

Perhaps influencing Datsyuk’s decision to leave was the realization that his replacement might have arrived in the form of Dylan Larkin. Larkin put up a Calder Memorial Trophy kind of rookie season, leading the team with 23 goals and an 11 +/-. The 20 year old appears to be a lock for that top center role, the same one that Datsyuk possessed for over a decade. While it is unfair to expect Larkin to be Datsyuk, Larkin showed last year that he has the potential to be a top liner, and he needs to start living up to that potential if the Red Wings want to keep the streak alive.