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Summary: The receipts are out there. In my gut it felt like this game would be a loss for Detroit. Instead, they’ve won 5 of the last 6 and got an OT point from Edmonton. Reimer stops 28 of 30 and gives the performance that the team needed. Larkin is 3 off of 20, Sprong got a beauty of a backhand shot, Copp gets the game winner and adds to a now 3 game goal streak. Raymond sealed it up with an empty netter and I am shocked. Not that I was wrong, but at what Detroit accomplished tonight. I’m wrong plenty of times and just try to use it as a way to improve.
So, on the other side of things, Toronto is going to be frustrated. They outshot Detroit and have 2 new contracts that are going to kick in and make building the blue line and adding strength to the net a little more challenging. Make no mistake, Matthews has the best wrist shot I may have ever seen. Nylander could likely be a team scoring leader almost anywhere in the league. It is just a tough situation.
Detroit also had a nightmare 24 hour scenario. Get to the airport, wait, try and get back home. We live about 45 minutes from the airport and had our driveway plowed last night. Within 2 hours there was 5 inches of snow on it again and it’s -1 right now. Detroit gets to Toronto, but their equipment doesn’t. Kane is lost in the first period and it just seemed like one of those nights that’s going to be a rough ride. Instead, the music is playing and Reimer gets some well deserved accolades (hopefully a pack of skittles or something nice).
This team overcame a tough situation on the same nights as the Lions played a post season game for the first time in a long time. We’ll see how it turns out. Regardless, a big win for Detroit in a tough division. Larkin had a big game yesterday with 2 goals and a 2 point night tonight. The team looks driven and it is fun to see a stretch like this. Maybe California had the “Sweden effect… on the team (except they won all the games in Cali). Whatever the case, it is a big win tonight. I hope you all enjoyed it and have a safe week as we’re looking at single digit temps in Michigan.
Detroit First Period goals: No first period goals
Shots: 10-6 Score: 0-0
Detroit Red Wings Second Period goals: At 15:39 Larkin tied the score after Perron did a yeoman’s task of puck handling in the corner then got the biscuit to Larkin who was in the lower left faceoff dot. The captain got his 17th off a quick rip to the net. 1-1
DP to Larks! pic.twitter.com/hQD8AgnNZa
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 15, 2024
Shots: 21-17 TOR Score: 2-1 TOR
Third Period Detroit goals At 2:45 Sprong took a pass from Raymond in the D-zone and went all the way for a beautiful backhand to tie it up. 2-2
OK, SPRONGER! 👌 pic.twitter.com/S3BOCXLjW3
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 15, 2024
With just 1:40 left Copp scored to give Detroit Their first lead of the game. Copp is coming on and that’s a good thing. The centerman skated to the lower left, spun and shot.
No doubt, @Copp94 picked a great time to extend his goal streak to 3 games, giving the Red Wings a 3-2 lead late in the 3rd!#LGRW pic.twitter.com/K8zmS6lQ5i
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) January 15, 2024
With 19 seconds left Raymond got an insurance tally with an empty net goal
Lucas Raymond finds the empty net for the insurance goal!#LGRW pic.twitter.com/wEhK9RYyUg
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) January 15, 2024
Shots: 30-24 TOR Score: 4-2 DET