The Detroit Red Wings found their groove just in time, snapping back from a sluggish start to secure a crucial victory against the Calgary Flames. Patrick Kane was the star of the night, netting two goals, while Alex DeBrincat was the playmaker with three assists. Returning to Little Caesars Arena, the Wings set themselves up nicely heading into the third period, and John Gibson’s solid goaltending kept the Flames at bay, sealing a 5-2 win.
Red Wings' Playoff Push
With this victory, the Wings (37-23-8, 82 points) broke a week-long dry spell, climbing to 82 points in the standings. They’re now neck and neck with the Montreal Canadiens for third place in the Atlantic Division, though Montreal holds two games in hand.
The win also nudged the Wings ahead of the Bruins into the first wild card spot. Currently, they trail the division-leading Buffalo Sabres by eight points, as the Sabres aim to break their long-standing playoff drought.
Upcoming Challenges
The Wings are set to continue their home stand with three more games against divisional rivals. They’ll face the Canadiens next on Thursday, followed by the Bruins on Saturday, and then the Ottawa Senators on March 24.
Overcoming the Flames
The Flames, out of the Western Conference playoff race, played with a carefree style. In contrast, the Wings struggled in the first period, allowing odd-man rushes and failing to capitalize on two power plays. They fell behind late in the first when Morgan Frost redirected a shot past John Gibson, leaving the Flames with an 11-8 shot advantage.
Kane's Historic Night
Patrick Kane brought the Wings to life with a breakaway goal early in the second period, his 11th of the season, courtesy of a setup by Alex DeBrincat. This goal marked Kane’s 503rd career tally, moving him past Joe Mullen for fourth-most goals by a U.S.-born player. Only Jeremy Roenick, Keith Tkachuk, and Mike Modano have more.
The Wings took the lead after killing a penalty, with Emmitt Finnie redirecting a shot from Albert Johansson. Building on this momentum, Kane struck again to extend the lead to 3-1.
The Flames responded quickly with Matt Coronato’s goal, but the Wings regained control with a power-play goal from Moritz Seider, making it 4-2. Dominik Shine capped off the night by scoring into an empty net, sealing the victory.
This win not only boosts the Wings' playoff hopes but also showcases the firepower and resilience they’ll need as they face critical upcoming matchups.