EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings pulled off a thrilling 3-2 shootout victory against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night at Rogers Place, with Dylan Larkin playing a pivotal role. Larkin tied the game with his impressive goal during the second period and then scored the decisive goal in the shootout.
The night saw Larkin share the spotlight with Red Wings goaltender Alex Lyon, who put on a remarkable performance, making 45 saves during regulation and overtime, which set the stage for the shootout action.
It was undoubtedly a night of ups and downs for both teams. The Oilers jumped out to a strong start, leading 2-0 by the end of the first period courtesy of goals from Leon Draisaitl and Jeff Skinner. Draisaitl, who leads the NHL with his 36 goals this season, opened the scoring on the power play at 6:49, sneaking the puck past Lyon. Shortly after, at 10:29, Skinner added to the lead with a rebound goal, pushing the Oilers ahead with significant momentum.
But the Red Wings refused to back down. Michael Rasmussen initiated their rally with a goal at 9:59 of the second period, tipping Jonatan Berggren's shot past Edmonton’s goaltender Stuart Skinner. Larkin then capitalized on the momentum shift, scoring the equalizer at 11:47 with a breakaway shot after receiving the assist from Marco Kasper, sending the puck through Skinner’s legs.
After the second period left the score tied at 2-2, both teams exchanged opportunities but were unable to find the back of the net during the third period. Edmonton's penalty kill shone bright, successfully going 3-for-3, including holding off the Red Wings during a key four-on-three situation late.
When the game proceeded to the shootout, Larkin and Lucas Raymond were successful, scoring against Skinner, who made 33 saves on 35 shots throughout the contest. Meanwhile, Lyon stopped attempts from Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, sealing the victory for Detroit. Larkin’s ability to perform under pressure marked his outstanding contribution, making him the night's hero.
This victory also marks the fourth consecutive triumph for the Red Wings, who have now bounced back impressively from trailing deficits. Coach Todd McLellan has certainly inspired improved performances since taking over, as the team stands at 12-4-1 under his guidance since December 26.
Conversely, the loss halted the Oilers' three-game winning streak and leaves them at 32-15-4 for the season. With strong performances throughout the match, including Draisaitl's continuous scoring prowess, Edmonton still has positives to build upon moving forward.
Up next, the Red Wings will face the Calgary Flames on Saturday night, seeking to extend their winning streak. The Oilers return home to host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, aiming to reclaim their winning momentum.
Fans will want to keep their eyes on both matchups as each team continues to vie for playoff positioning through the final push of the season. Each game is proving to be pivotal, rife with tension and excitement as the stakes grow higher.