Lucas Raymond wasted no time setting the tone for Detroit in Vancouver, and the Red Wings never gave it back.
With a big opening period powering the way, the Red Wings rolled past the Canucks 5-2 at Rogers Arena for their first road win of the season. Raymond scored twice in the first period, William Wallinder added the second goal of his career, and Detroit built enough cushion to control the rest of the night.
Michael Rasmussen and Emmitt Finnie also scored for the Red Wings. On the Vancouver side, Elias Pettersson and Jonathan Lekkerimaki found the net, but the Canucks never fully erased the damage from Detroit’s early surge.
Raymond’s night stood out immediately. Detroit jumped out to a 2-0 lead on his goal and Wallinder’s, before Pettersson answered on the power play to pull Vancouver within one.
Raymond then struck again later in the period, giving him three goals in two games after opening the season without one in his first eight appearances. He had finally broken through in Detroit’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Seattle Kraken earlier in the week.
The Red Wings kept adding to the lead in the second period when Rasmussen tipped in a shot from Anton Johansson for his first goal since January 5 of last season. J.T. Compher, back in the lineup for his first game since Oct. 4, earned the secondary assist.
Detroit’s final two goals came in the third. Finnie scored four minutes into the period, and Lekkerimaki later replied for Vancouver, but the game was already well out of reach.
There was at least one concern for the Red Wings beyond the final score. John Gibson, who had stopped four of the five shots he faced through 40 minutes, did not return for the third period because of an upper-body injury.
Michal Postava stepped in after being called up from the Grand Rapids Griffins when backup Daniil Tarasov was injured during practice. Postava finished with seven saves on eight shots in relief.
Kevin Lankinen made 26 saves for Vancouver.
Detroit now heads to Calgary for Saturday evening’s game against the Flames. That will be the Red Wings’ final visit to the Scotiabank Saddledome, which is set to close after this season and be replaced by Scotia Place, currently under construction.
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Red Wings Cruise In Vancouver As A Late Goalie Twist Steals Focus
Lucas Raymond helped set the tone early in Rogers Arena, scoring twice as the Red Wings jumped out to a fast start and rolled past the Canucks 5-2. Detroit looked in control for most of the night, getting the kind of balanced road result that can settle a team in a long trip and give its top players a chance to steer the pace from the opening shift on.
The more unusual part of the evening came in net, where John Gibson exited after two periods because of an eye issue. Michal Postava then stepped in for the third period and made his NHL debut, turning a comfortable win into a night that will be remembered for more than the scoreline as Detroit waits to see how the goalie situation settles after the trip. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings Trade Rumor Just Put Dylan Larkin Fans On Edge
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Montreal, according to the reporting, could be positioned to shape any potential talks around a familiar name to Michigan hockey fans, which only adds to the speculation around where this is headed. For now, it remains just that, but the fact that the Red Wings are looking closely at the Canadiens is enough to keep Larkin-watch firmly on the front burner until the picture becomes clearer. [Read more 🡒]
Edvinsson Standoff Puts Real Pressure On Red Wings Front Office
Simon Edvinssons contract situation has turned into one of the more delicate items on the Red Wings checklist, with no extension in place and a growing sense that the conversation has drifted beyond the usual back-and-forth of negotiations. The young defensemans name has become a real talking point around Detroit because this is no longer just about term and dollars, but about whether the two sides can find common ground at all.
Edvinsson has not filed a formal trade request, but the possibility of a move is clearly part of the backdrop as the calendar moves deeper into the season. Detroit also has a practical deadline hanging over the situation, since he needs to sign by Dec. 1 to be eligible to play in the NHL this season, and the front office has already been exploring young centers as possible trade targets if an agreement never comes together. [Read more 🡒]