The Red Wings' inability to capitalize at home, where they are 6-6-6, is one of the reasons they're so far behind in the playoff chase. (The Associated Press)

Detroit nine points out of final wild card spot

A wise man once said, “You are what your record says you are.”

So even though the Detroit Red Wings, after several tough losses, continue to maintain they’re better than last season, it doesn’t matter. They’re slightly worse, according to their record, and that’s all that matters, as noted former NFL coach Bill Parcells said.

The Red Wings are 13-15-7 and have 33 points. They’re nine points behind the New York Islanders for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Last season, Detroit was 15-15-4, with 34 points, on Christmas, arguably within striking distance of a playoff spot, six points back.

They didn’t make it in last season and, barring an amazing second-half rally, they’re not making it in this season. Now it’s just a matter of when they’ll start selling the few assets they are likely to move that would interest playoff-contending teams, starting with defenseman Mike Green. He might be the only player for whom the Red Wings get a decent return.

Here are five things to watch this week, after the NHL returns from its three-day Christmas break:

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Anthony Mantha has just two points in the past nine games. (The Associated Press)

Too many in goal-scoring slumps

The Red Wings are averaging 2.69 goals per game, which is up from what they averaged at the end of 2016-17 (2.41). But it’s not good enough. Too many players aren’t finding the net.

Henrik Zetterberg has one goal in 28 games, but has seven assists in the past five games. Dylan Larkin leads the team with 29 points, becoming more of a facilitator as a full-time center, but has just one goal in the past 15 games and only five for the season.

Young forwards Anthony Mantha (one goal, one assist in the past nine games) and Andreas Athanasiou (no goals, four assists in the past 14 games) are struggling. Justin Abdelkader, one of several hoping for a bounce-back season, has no points in the past seven games.

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Prospect Tyler Bertuzzi needs to make his presence felt for the Red Wings. (AP file photo)

Bertuzzi's prime opportunity

Luke Glendening is out at least a month with a hand injury, giving the club an extended opportunity to evaluate prospect Tyler Bertuzzi. He needs minutes and played a career-high 17:58 in Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Boston.

Bertuzzi has flourished in Grand Rapids, particularly in the playoffs (he was the MVP during the Griffins’ Calder Cup run last season). He needs to make his presence felt in the NHL by forechecking aggressively, playing physical, being hard to play against and chipping in some offense.

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Nico Hischier, the top pick in the 2017 NHL draft, is one of the reasons for the Devils' turnaround. (The Associated Press)

Devils' remarkable turnaround

The Red Wings were hoping to do as the Devils. New Jersey was the worst team in the East, tied for the third-fewest points overall, in 2016-17. Now the Devils are leading the Metropolitan Division and are tied for the third-most points overall.

The trade last season for Taylor Hall is paying off (team-leading 32 points). Three rookies have made an impact – 19-year-old left wing Jasper Bart (23 points), defenseman Will Butcher (21 points) and center Nico Hischier (21 points), the 2017 top overall pick.

John Hynes would be the leading candidate for the Jack Adams Award as the league’s top coach, if not for the remarkable job Gerard Gallant has done with the expansion Vegas Golden Knights. The Red Wings visit New Jersey on Wednesday (7 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). The Devils prevailed 4-3 in overtime at Little Caesars Arena on Nov. 25.

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Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has been stellar during his career against the Red Wings. (The Associated Press)

Rangers games always close

The Red Wings host the New York Rangers Friday (7:30, FSD). Recent history indicates it will be close. Eight of the past 14 games between the teams have been decided in overtime, with New York prevailing in six; 16 of the past 19 between the clubs have been decided by one goal.

The Rangers (19-13-4) have won three in a row in the series, including a 2-1 OT victory at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 24.

Henrik Lundqvist has a better career goals-against average (1.90) and save percentage (.938) against the Red Wings than any other team. He is 13-7-4 vs. Detroit, including four shutouts.

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Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson and the Penguins' Olli Maatta battle during a game last season. (MLive/Mike Mulholland)

Two-time champs in malaise

Pittsburgh defeated Detroit in the final New Year’s Eve game at Joe Louis Arena (5-2 in 2015; the Red Wings didn’t play on Dec. 31 last season due to the Jan. 1 outdoor game in Toronto) and the Penguins provide the opposition as the tradition continues at LCA on Sunday (7 p.m., FSD).

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions are 2-5-0 in their past seven, 18-16-3 overall, and currently not in a playoff position. It’s leading to speculation that general manager Jimmy Rutherford will swing a trade soon.

The Red Wings have won the past two games between the teams, who tend to play high-scoring contests – the winning team has scored five or more goals in the past seven games, none of which were decided by one goal.

Former Red Wings center Riley Sheahan has three goals and seven assists in 27 games with the Penguins, after failing to record a point in eight games with Detroit.