John Gibson’s night in Tampa Bay ended early, and the Red Wings are now waiting to see how serious the issue is.
Detroit’s goalie left after the first period of the game against the Lightning with what appeared to be a lower-body injury and has been ruled out for the rest of the contest. Gibson stopped 11 of 13 shots before exiting, with both Tampa Bay goals coming off the stick of Braden Point - one on the power play and one at even strength.
The Red Wings had turned to Gibson for the second game of their back-to-back in Florida after Daniil Tarasov started the opener. Once Gibson was unable to continue, Tarasov took over in net for the second period and beyond.
Before tonight, Gibson had started 10 games for Detroit this season and entered with a 4-5-1 record and a 3.37 GAA. The Red Wings leaned on him heavily late last season, when he put together a 17-4-1 run from December through January. He finished the year at 29-22-4, making the third-most starts of his career in his age 30 season.
What happens next depends on Gibson’s status after tonight. If the injury keeps him out beyond the next two nights, Detroit has the option of bringing up goalie prospect Michal Postava. The Red Wings’ next game is at home against the Las Vegas Golden Knights, and a call-up could become necessary since Tarasov will have already handled back-to-back nights in Florida and may not be available for three games in four days.
In Other News...
Division Rival Just Took Detroits Side In The Dylan Larkin Drama
Dylan Larkins trade request has already pushed the Red Wings into an uncomfortable stretch, and the fallout has gone well beyond the ice. After he refused to play and was suspended without pay, Detroit answered with a win and a clear message from inside the room: the group is trying to move forward without letting the situation linger over every shift and every meeting.
What makes the story even more interesting is that a division rival has now weighed in from a different angle. Tampa Bay forward Brandon Hagel pointed to a similar trade-request situation involving teammate Nikita Kucherov, drawing a distinction that reflects how unusual Larkins case has become around the league. For Detroit, it is one more reminder that this drama is being watched closely, and not just by the people wearing red and white. [Read more 🡒]
Dylan Larkin Trade Talks Just Hit A Massive Red Wings Roadblock
The Dylan Larkin chatter took a sharp turn after NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that Buffalo put a significant trade offer on the table, only for Detroit to hit a wall because Larkin would not waive his no-trade clause for the Sabres. It is the kind of detail that instantly changes the conversation around a player who remains central to the Red Wings, especially when a deal of that magnitude is involved.
Larkins contract protection gives him control over where he can and cannot be moved, and Buffalo is not on the list of teams he can currently approve. Montreal has also been linked to the situation, but the bigger question now is whether his approved list changes soon, which would reopen a door that is shut for the moment. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings Suddenly Have A Goalie Problem They Feared Again
The Red Wings were already trying to settle into a rhythm in net when John Gibson was forced out of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He left with a lower-body injury and did not return, leaving Detroit to turn to Daniil Tarasov in relief as the night took a sudden turn.
For a team that has spent plenty of time worrying about goaltending stability, the timing is the part that stings most. The severity of Gibsons injury and how long he might be unavailable are still unknown, which leaves Detroit waiting on a situation it had hoped to avoid again. [Read more 🡒]