DETROIT -- Missing out on an opportunity to gain some ground in the Eastern Conference’s Wild-Card race, the Detroit Red Wings nearly completed a spirited third-period rally but fell short, 4-3, to the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday night.

The Ottawa Senators improved their playoff chances on Thursday night while also knocking another nail in the Detroit Red Wings' coffin. Despite spending much of the first period in the penalty box and then bending hard in the third,

Red Wings coach Todd McLellan spoke to reporters about his team feeling deflated in their recent loss to the Senators.