DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings didn’t hold a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday. The next day, they were in second place in the Atlantic Division. Two days after that, they were in first.

They went 2-0-1 in four days and charged up the standings, just like that. But they didn’t feel like the kings of the hill.

“You look at the standings, and if you’re on top of the mountain, you’re really not on top of the mountain,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “You’re in the middle of the forest. It’s so tight.”

It can be a slippery slope. Entering their game against the New York Islanders at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNDET, MSGSN2), the Red Wings cling to a one-point lead on the Boston Bruins in the division. They’re still three points from the playoff cut line.

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