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NO WORDS. pic.twitter.com/qP5HRLClgb
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 26, 2024
Summary: Because of the incredible ending, it may get lost in the shuffle that Reimer stopped 33 of 35 shots to give Detroit a chance to grab an overtime win when Chicago had brought everything and at times outplayed the once conference rivals.
That being said, of course it was Kane. With the help of his former Chicago linemate Debrincat (both collected a goal and an assist) the cat found #88 all alone skating near the iconic Chicago logo and Kane’s goal looked like a penalty shot. He went straight in and with a release that is so quick it’s easy to miss the future hall of famer closed out the game. To the credit of the Chicago faithful, there was plenty of applause and cheers for the 3 time cup winner.
On the other side of this, Tampa Bay had beaten New Jersey and that’s a contest that could have made things uncomfortable for Detroit if they had fallen to the ‘Hawks on the latter end of a back to back. Instead, Detroit maintains a one point lead with 2 games in hand of Tampa with 8 points between themselves and New Jersey who sits closest to the final wild card spot with 62 points (while Washington has 61 and 2 games in hand and Pitt at 60 with 3 games in hand over the Devils).
Detroit will face the Capitals on Tuesday and the games continue to be “must win…. It’s a tiresome place to be but putting distance between themselves and the outlying Eastern Conference teams is certainly on the mind of Yzerman and co.
This Red Wings team continues to surprise many, and in Grand Rapids the wins are piling up as well. A quick glance showed Berggren leading the Griffs in points with Edvinsson in 2nd. That’s fairly impressive for the defender and hopefully a sign of another draft pick that can add to what is being built in Detroit.
As always, let me know your thoughts. It is great to see Chelios being honored in Chicago after some rough sledding for nearly 2 decades. It was a night where two of the best American players in the NHL’s history were honored and a reminder that the enmity that can build up will fade to respect for those who truly shape the game.
Detroit First Period goals:
In the final minute of the first period, Fabbri skated the puck into the offensive zone. Fischer worked the puck toward the slot but found a back pass to Sprong who scored while falling with just 41 seconds left in the period. 1-0 DET
Air Spronger! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/ieQVBYPYYA
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 25, 2024
Shots: 13-12 CHI Score: 1-0 DET
Detroit Red Wings Second Period goals: No Detroit goals in the second period
Shots: 24-18 CHI Score: 2-1 CHI
Third Period Detroit goals
At 15:44 Debrincat tied the game with a nearly impossible shot from below the goal line as he gathered his own rebound and managed to slip the puck past Mrazek. The play started with a breakout pass in the D zone from Gostisbehere to Kane who found his current Detroit and former Chicago linemate for the tying tally. 2-2
KANE TO CAT IN CHICAGO. pic.twitter.com/uRZVBvt8hY
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 26, 2024
Shots: 32-29 CHI Score: 2-2
Overtime: After Reimer made 2 point blank saves, this time it was Debrincat who found Kane all alone at center ice. Time stood still as it looked like a penalty shot in overtime and #88 made his return to Chicago one for the books. 2 points apiece for the 2 former Chicago forwards, and one incredible finish.
THAT'S. SHOWTIME. 🎬 pic.twitter.com/ruDFsyyXW4
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 26, 2024
Shots: 35-31 CHI Score: 3-2 DET