John Gibson Snaps Drought, Red Wings Halt Skid with Gritty Win Over Bruins
The Detroit Red Wings needed a bounce-back performance, and on Tuesday night, they got one - gritty, imperfect, but effective. In their second straight matchup against the Boston Bruins, Detroit built a commanding 5-2 lead midway through the third period, then held off a late Boston push to secure the win and snap a four-game winless streak.
At the heart of it all? Goaltender John Gibson, who turned in his best performance since joining the Red Wings.
Gibson stopped a season-high 34 shots to earn his first win since November 13 - a long overdue result for a netminder who’s been searching for rhythm in a new city. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but it was the kind of night that can help a goalie find his footing.
“There were some really tough saves and there were periods of nothing, and the game was under control, and then it wasn’t,” head coach Todd McLellan said postgame. “So, it was very much a roller coaster-type game for a goaltender to play in.
At the end of the night, he got the win, so it can’t do anything but help his confidence, the team’s confidence. I'm happy for him.”
That roller-coaster feel was real. The Red Wings controlled large stretches of the game, but the Bruins - as they tend to do - made a late surge that tested Detroit’s composure. Gibson, to his credit, stood tall when it mattered most, turning away some high-danger chances to preserve the lead.
For a player still trying to establish himself in Detroit, this was a much-needed step in the right direction.
Gibson’s numbers since being acquired from Anaheim over the offseason haven’t been pretty - a 3.62 goals-against average and a .868 save percentage coming into the night - but numbers don’t always tell the full story. Tuesday’s win wasn’t just about stats; it was about a goaltender battling through a rough stretch and delivering when his team needed it.
With a tough six-game road trip on the horizon, Gibson’s role is only going to grow. McLellan has made it clear he’ll get his chances, and Tuesday’s performance was a reminder of what Gibson can bring when he’s locked in.
This wasn’t a perfect game for the Red Wings - far from it - but it was the kind of win that can reset a team’s mindset. They broke through against one of the NHL’s most consistent teams, ended a frustrating skid, and watched their goaltender take a step toward reclaiming his game.
For Gibson and the Wings, it’s a win that means more than just two points in the standings.