Red Wings Complete Season Sweep With Overtime Win In Toronto

It was a night of high drama at Scotiabank Arena as the Detroit Red Wings edged the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, capping off an Original Six rivalry that’s been nothing short of electric all season. This win not only completed a season sweep for the Red Wings over the Leafs but also showcased the grit, resilience, and star power that have defined both teams’ campaigns so far.

Coming into the matchup, the Red Wings had already clinched the season series, having won the first three meetings—6-3 on October 11, 3-2 with a late dagger from Mason Appleton on October 13, and a 3-2 overtime thriller on December 28, thanks to Simon Edvinsson’s composure under pressure. The Leafs, desperate to salvage some pride on home ice, were looking to reverse a troubling trend: they were 0-3 on the moneyline against Detroit this season, a stat that had fans and analysts alike raising eyebrows.

Wednesday’s contest lived up to the billing from the opening puck drop. Auston Matthews, Toronto’s talismanic forward, entered the clash on a tear, having netted 12 goals in his last 14 games. His linemate, Max Domi, was also riding a hot streak, tallying 11 points in his previous 14 outings while seeing his ice time balloon from 14:50 to 17:37 per game since Christmas. Yet, it was Scott Laughton who broke the deadlock in the first period, finding the net against Detroit’s John Gibson and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

Gibson, Detroit’s newly minted netminder, has been a revelation since joining the Wings. Though his season save percentage sits at .902, he’s been nothing short of sensational in his last 15 starts, boasting a .932 save percentage and a stingy 1.93 goals-against average. That form continued in Toronto, with Gibson making a series of acrobatic stops—including a crucial save on Laughton’s penalty shot in the second period—to keep the Wings within striking distance. “I do know Talbs (Cam Talbot) stole the game in Toronto,” Andrew Copp said of Detroit’s earlier win, but on this night, it was Gibson’s turn to don the hero’s cape.

On the other side of the ice, Joseph Woll got the nod in goal for the Maple Leafs. Woll, who’s posted a .910 save percentage over 20 appearances this season, turned aside a barrage of Detroit chances, including several from the dangerous Dylan Larkin and the ever-crafty James van Riemsdyk. Toronto’s defensive strategy under coach Craig Berube has focused on safe, low-risk plays, but their 45.8% expected goal share and league-leading 31.56 shots allowed per 60 minutes have left many questioning whether the system is sustainable, especially with William Nylander sidelined due to injury.

As the game wore on, the tension ratcheted up. Both teams traded chances, with Oliver Ekman-Larsson continuing his productive run for Toronto—he’s now notched six points in his last five games—while Detroit’s Marco Kasper, promoted to the top line, looked to make an impact alongside Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin. Kasper’s development has been a bright spot for the Wings, despite a slower start than anticipated after last season’s breakout second half.

Detroit’s defensive overhaul has been a major storyline this year. Head coach Todd McLellan has entrusted his young blue-liners with significant roles, and the results speak for themselves. The Red Wings hold a 49.41% expected goal share at even strength and have allowed just 3.33 expected goals against per 60 minutes over their last 10 games—tenth best in the league. That newfound defensive stability, combined with Gibson’s stellar form, has been instrumental in their 7-1-2 record over the last ten games and their ascent to second place in the Atlantic Division with 64 points, trailing only the red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning.

Toronto, meanwhile, sits sixth in the division with 56 points and faces a pivotal stretch with seven games left before the Olympic break. Their power play, rejuvenated since Steve Sullivan took over as assistant coach on December 26, has clicked at a 30% success rate, a much-needed boost as the team tries to keep pace in a fiercely competitive Atlantic Division.

Back to the action: with the score knotted at one after regulation, overtime beckoned. The energy inside Scotiabank Arena was palpable. Detroit’s Dylan Larkin, who’s been a model of consistency and leadership throughout the season, seized the moment. In a flash of skill and determination, Larkin buried the game-winner past Woll, sending the Red Wings bench into jubilation and silencing the Toronto faithful. The win marked Detroit’s 30th in their first 50 games—a feat the franchise hadn’t accomplished since the 2011-12 season.

“We’ve won close games, right? That’s the biggest thing when I look back at the second game of the year, we were down a couple and came back,” Patrick Kane reflected recently. “That game in Toronto, Apps (Appleton) scored a big goal late to give us a 3-2 lead, so I think we’ve found a way to come out on top of those close games.” That resilience was on full display once again as the Red Wings found a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

For Toronto, the loss stings, but there are positives to build on. Matthews continues to produce at an MVP-caliber pace, and Domi’s chemistry with him has been a silver lining. Ekman-Larsson’s resurgence on the blue line, plus the power play’s recent uptick, give the Leafs hope as they look to regroup ahead of the Olympic break and a critical playoff push.

As the dust settles on another memorable chapter in this storied Original Six rivalry, one thing is clear: the Detroit Red Wings have announced themselves as a legitimate contender, while the Toronto Maple Leafs are left searching for answers. With playoff races heating up, both teams know there’s little margin for error going forward. But for now, Detroit fans can savor a clean sweep of their old rivals—and wonder just how far this resilient, rejuvenated team can go.