The Detroit Red Wings came out flying on Monday night in Denver, setting the tone early against the Colorado Avalanche with a first-period burst that had their fans in Ball Arena on their feet. The energy was palpable - and so was the execution.
Marco Kasper wasted no time making an impact. The young center found the back of the net in the opening frame, slipping one past Avalanche goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood.
It was a textbook finish - poised, precise, and the kind of moment that reminds you why Detroit’s front office has been so high on Kasper’s potential. He didn’t just score; he sparked momentum.
That goal lit a fire under the Red Wings bench. You could see it in the way the team rallied around Kasper, celebrating with a mix of joy and intensity.
This wasn’t just another regular-season tally - it was a statement. Detroit came to play.
The Avalanche didn’t roll over, though. Colorado defenseman Josh Manson was active early, locking in on Dylan Larkin and doing his best to contain Detroit’s captain.
Larkin, as always, was a handful - using his speed and vision to create chances even under heavy pressure. It was a classic battle between a hard-nosed defender and a dynamic forward, and neither gave an inch.
At the other end of the ice, John Gibson stood tall in net for the Red Wings. The veteran goaltender was sharp from the drop of the puck, turning away early chances and keeping the Avalanche from finding their rhythm. One key stop came with Colorado’s Parker Kelly crashing the crease - Gibson, with help from rookie defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka, held firm to preserve the early lead.
Sandin-Pellikka’s presence continues to grow with every shift. The young blueliner showed poise under pressure, making smart reads and holding his ground in front of the net. It’s the kind of development Detroit fans have been hoping for - a glimpse of a future core piece gaining confidence in real time.
This game had all the makings of a playoff-style clash: physical play, high-end skill, and two teams pushing hard in a tightly contested first period. And while there was still plenty of hockey left to play, the Red Wings’ early punch - led by Kasper’s goal and Gibson’s steady hand - set the tone for a night that could carry weight down the stretch.