Mike-Babcock-3-27-14

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock needs only two more wins to tie Jack Adams for the most in franchise history.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT – Mike Babcock passed one legendary figure on Sunday and is closing in on another.

Babcock has a good chance to become the Detroit Red Wings’ all-time winningest coach before the end of the season.

The Red Wings' 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning was Babcock's 411th victory behind the Detroit bench, moving him past Scotty Bowman into second place on the franchise's career list for coaching wins.

Babcock is two victories away from club leader Jack Adams.

“Scotty’s the greatest coach of all time in our business,” Babcock said. “The way the business was then and the way it is now, to have the amount of wins Scotty has is impossible and you’re not going to get to coach so many Stanley Cup champions.

“You’re not able to keep teams together like they used to. Scotty should be in a class by himself.”

Babcock is 411-196-90 in close to nine seasons with the Red Wings.

Bowman went 410-193-98 in nine seasons with Detroit (1993-94 to 2001-02), where he won three of his record nine Stanley Cups as a coach. He is the NHL’s all-time leader in wins with 1,258.

“It’s not like I wanted to pass Scott Bowman, but I’m honored,” Babcock said. “He’s a good friend of mine. I’m honored I get to talk about him here.”

Adams went 413-390-16 as Red Wings coach between 1927-47.