The Detroit Red Wings may have fallen short on Saturday, but the point they snagged in overtime could be a game-changer as the season winds down.
Dallas defenseman Thomas Harley sealed the deal in overtime, giving the Stars a 3-2 win over the Wings. But it was Lucas Raymond who kept Detroit in the fight, tying the game late in the third with his 21st goal. Raymond’s hustle to the net paid off as he knocked in a loose puck past Jake Oettinger.
That single point keeps the Wings (36-23-8) in the Eastern Conference wild-card race, maintaining a slim lead over Columbus, who edged out a win against Philadelphia.
Raymond summed it up perfectly: "Huge," he told FanDuel Sports Network. "We'll take the point and move on."
Detroit’s struggles in Dallas continue, with their last win dating back to February 2016. Yet, their gritty comeback against a top-tier team showcased their resilience, even with a depleted roster.
"We kept it close when it wasn't going good," Red Wings coach Todd McLellan noted. "They might have dominated for stretches, but we capitalized on our chances. It was a character night for a lot of players."
Simon Edvinsson chipped away at Dallas’ lead with his ninth goal early in the third. Oettinger’s attempt to cover the puck backfired, pushing it into his own net.
For Dallas, Wyatt Johnston and Michael Bunting (on the power play) found the back of the net, stretching the Stars' point streak to an impressive 15 games.
Securing that point was crucial for Detroit, especially with injuries piling up. Already missing key players like Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp, the Wings also played without Michael Rasmussen and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. Rasmussen is expected to be out for a week, while Brandsegg-Nygard’s return is day-to-day.
David Perron, fresh off hernia surgery and a trade from Ottawa, was activated for the game. The Wings also called up John Leonard, Sheldon Dries, and Dominik Shine to fill the gaps.
Johnston opened the scoring with his 36th goal, showcasing a slick spin move around Raymond before sliding the puck past John Gibson. Bunting extended the lead with a power-play goal, marking the Stars' 12th consecutive game with a power-play tally.
Looking ahead, the Wings kick off a four-game homestand against Calgary on Monday.
"Our group has shown resilience all year," McLellan said. "We’re going into this homestand ready to compete, no matter who’s on the ice. We expect them to show up every day and replicate tonight’s effort."