Larkin Lifts Red Wings Over Maple Leafs In Overtime Thriller

The Detroit Red Wings continued their remarkable run of form with a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on January 21, 2026. The win, secured by a dazzling breakaway goal from Dylan Larkin in the extra frame, not only completed a season sweep of their Atlantic Division rivals but also marked Detroit's seventh triumph in their last eight outings. With the victory, the Red Wings improved to a 31-16-4 record, solidifying their hold on second place in the division, nipping at the heels of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who still have games in hand.

It was the kind of tense, hard-fought contest that fans have come to expect from these two Original Six foes, with both sides trading momentum and big saves in a game that showcased grit, skill, and no shortage of drama. The Maple Leafs, desperate to avoid a season sweep at the hands of Detroit, came out with energy, but it was the Red Wings' resilience and opportunism that ultimately tipped the scales.

The scoring opened just five minutes into the game, as Toronto’s Scott Laughton found himself unmarked in front of the net. With time and space to work, Laughton redirected a crisp pass from Calle Jarnkrok past Detroit netminder John Gibson, giving the home crowd something to cheer about early. Laughton has been a consistent thorn in Detroit’s side, tallying 15 goals and 22 points in his last 21 games against the Wings.

Despite the early setback, Detroit responded with poise. They peppered Toronto goalie Joseph Woll with 15 shots in the opening period, but it wasn’t until the final seconds before intermission that they broke through. Lucas Raymond, showing off his slick puck skills, carried the play up ice and executed a crafty give-and-go with Dylan Larkin. Skating backward toward the goal line, Raymond fired a pinpoint pass to Simon Edvinsson, who buried his sixth goal of the season with just 17.7 seconds left on the clock. The tying tally sent the Wings to the locker room with a surge of momentum and set the tone for the rest of the night.

The middle frame saw both teams ramp up the physicality and intensity. The Red Wings, aggressive on the forecheck, drew multiple penalties but couldn’t solve Woll, who was in top form throughout the contest. The Leafs, meanwhile, pressed for a go-ahead goal and earned a golden opportunity when Simon Edvinsson was whistled for hooking Laughton on a breakaway at 16:41, resulting in a penalty shot. Laughton, who’s been lethal against Detroit, failed to capitalize this time—his attempt fizzled as the puck slipped off his stick and slid harmlessly into Gibson’s waiting glove. The save was a highlight-reel moment for Gibson, who stood tall all night long.

As the period wound down, tempers flared. A late scrum erupted after Toronto’s Simon Benoit leveled Lucas Raymond, drawing the ire of several Red Wings and adding an extra layer of edge to an already chippy affair. It was clear that neither side was backing down, and the tension was palpable as the teams headed into the third period deadlocked at one.

The final frame was a showcase of goaltending brilliance. Detroit poured on the pressure, racking up a total of 41 shots by night’s end, including six in overtime. Woll, who finished with a remarkable 39 saves, was the Leafs’ best player, repeatedly denying Detroit’s top guns and keeping Toronto’s hopes alive. At the other end, Gibson matched him save for save, finishing with 29 stops and exuding the calm, reliable presence that has become his trademark since Thanksgiving. He was especially sharp during a crucial stretch in the second period, turning aside five shots while the Leafs were on the power play and another three during a later penalty kill.

With regulation unable to separate the sides, the game moved to overtime—a fitting conclusion for a matchup that had been tight from the opening puck drop. Both teams traded chances in the extra frame, but it was Detroit who finally broke through. At 4:07 of overtime, Moritz Seider muscled past a Leafs defender, freeing up Larkin for a one-on-one rush. Larkin, with a burst of speed and a deft move, beat Woll to seal the win and send the Red Wings bench into celebration. "It was a pretty finish," as described in coverage, and it capped off a performance that perfectly encapsulated Detroit’s blend of skill and determination.

For the Wings, this victory was more than just another two points in the standings. It marked the completion of a season sweep over the Maple Leafs—a statement in a division where every point is fiercely contested. Detroit had already claimed the first three meetings of the season, including a memorable outing in October when Cam Talbot stole the show at Scotiabank Arena. This time, it was Gibson and Larkin who delivered the heroics, with Edvinsson and Raymond playing pivotal supporting roles.

The win also extends Detroit’s hot streak to seven wins in their last eight games, a run that has them climbing the standings and building confidence as the playoff race heats up. The team’s recent form has been fueled by a combination of balanced scoring, reliable goaltending, and a willingness to battle for every inch of ice. As one observer noted, Gibson has “delivered to the standard he’s set since Thanksgiving,” and his play has given the Wings a chance to win every night.

Toronto, meanwhile, will be left to rue missed opportunities and the brilliance of Detroit’s netminder. Despite Woll’s heroics between the pipes, the Leafs couldn’t find a way to solve Gibson after Laughton’s early strike. The penalty shot miss loomed large, and the inability to capitalize on several power plays proved costly.

With the season series now in the books, the Red Wings have firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Atlantic. The rivalry with Toronto remains as fierce as ever, and if this latest battle is any indication, fans can expect more fireworks if the teams cross paths again in the postseason.

For now, Detroit will savor a hard-earned win on the road and look to carry their momentum into the next stretch of the schedule. As the playoff picture begins to take shape, the Wings are showing they have both the talent and the tenacity to make some serious noise.