The Detroit Red Wings didn’t waste a second in setting the tone Monday night in Colorado. Literally. Marco Kasper lit the lamp just 33 seconds into the game, and that early strike proved to be all the Red Wings would need in a statement 2-0 win over the Avalanche.
That opening goal wasn’t just fast-it was the fastest Detroit has scored to start a game all season. And it came at the perfect time.
The Red Wings were riding a three-game skid (0-2-1) and hadn’t won in Colorado in nearly a decade. The last time they walked out of Ball Arena with two points?
You’d have to go back to February 15, 2015, when Petr Mrazek pitched a 28-save shutout in a 3-0 win. Fitting, then, that this one ended the same way: with a goose egg on the scoreboard for the Avs.
John Gibson was the backbone of that defensive effort, turning aside all 21 shots he faced to earn his third shutout of the season and the 27th of his NHL career. It wasn’t a high-volume night, but it was a high-quality one. The Avalanche still boast some of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the league, but Detroit’s defensive structure-and Gibson’s poise-kept them quiet from start to finish.
Lucas Raymond added the insurance marker late, burying an empty-netter for his 19th goal of the season. He finished with a goal and an assist, while captain Dylan Larkin picked up helpers on both Detroit tallies. That kind of production from the top of the lineup is exactly what the Red Wings need as they push toward the postseason.
But this win wasn’t just about the stars. It was about the full-team buy-in.
The Red Wings looked like a playoff team-not just one hoping to sneak in, but one that could do some damage once they get there. The forwards were dialed in defensively, the blue line kept Colorado’s speed in check, and the goaltending was rock solid.
That’s the kind of three-zone commitment that wins games in April and May.
There were other positives, too. Detroit hasn’t lost back-to-back games in regulation since late November, a stretch that speaks to their resilience.
Travis Hamonic returned to the lineup after sitting out Saturday’s loss as a healthy scratch, and the team responded with a much sharper defensive effort. And Gibson?
He’s been a rock on the road. He’s now 11-4 away from home this season, with a league-best .938 save percentage in those games.
This was a win that checked a lot of boxes: ending a losing streak, exorcising some Colorado demons, and reinforcing the identity Detroit’s been building all year. If they can bottle this performance, the Red Wings are going to be a tough out down the stretch.
Next up for Detroit: another opportunity to build on this momentum and keep climbing the standings.