Detroit seizes first place with a bruising road win, a star turn from Alex DeBrincat, and a goaltender who slammed the door until it mattered most. The Red Wings beat the Flames 4 to 3 on Wednesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome, a result that felt like a playoff teaser in December. Detroit built a four goal lead, then held off a furious Calgary push in a wild third period.
Final: Red Wings 4, Flames 3. Detroit climbs back to first in the Atlantic Division.
A statement win in Calgary
I watched Detroit punch first, second, and third. The Red Wings skated with purpose and turned quick exits into chances. DeBrincat, the hottest scorer on this trip, buried twice and added an assist. His release beat Devin Cooley clean on the rush, then again off a cross-slot feed.
Dylan Larkin and rookie Axel Sandin‑Pellikka added the other Detroit goals. The Sandin‑Pellikka strike showed poise beyond his years, a patient walk along the blue line and a clean wrister through traffic. Patrick Kane and Andrew Copp each piled in with two assists, steady hands on a night that demanded composure.
John Gibson did the rest. He read plays early, controlled rebounds, and smothered Calgary surges before the game tilted. His final line, 34 saves, matched the eye test. Calm feet. Strong hands. No panic.
DeBrincat’s heater is changing Detroit’s ceiling
DeBrincat is on a five game point streak. He now sits at 16 goals and 34 points in 31 games. The numbers matter, but the timing matters more. He is scoring first goals and insurance goals. He is driving lines with pace and edge work, not just finishing plays.
The Red Wings need a finisher who tilts tight games. DeBrincat is that, and then some. His chemistry with Larkin and Kane is real. Short passes in the neutral zone are turning into controlled zone entries and quick strikes. It looks repeatable, which should scare the rest of the division.
DeBrincat: two goals and one assist, five straight with a point.
Gibson’s backbone, Calgary’s late fire
The Flames finally cracked the game open in the third. They scored three times and set the building on fire. Joel Farabee converted a penalty shot with a smooth deke that froze Gibson. Matt Coronato followed with a snapper from the slot. MacKenzie Weegar made it a one goal game with time still on the clock. Nazem Kadri drove the push with two sharp assists and heavy shifts.
Detroit did bend. They blocked shots, iced the puck, and leaned on veteran sticks in lanes. They did not break. That is the value of a road-tested group. It is also the mark of a goalie who keeps his angles when chaos hits. Calgary’s Devin Cooley finished with 23 saves and gave the Flames a chance, but the early hole was too deep.
What the win means right now
This is Detroit’s fourth straight victory. It sends them back to first in the Atlantic Division, a spot that changes the mental math of a long road swing. It also extends the Red Wings’ unbeaten run against Calgary to seven games, a streak that now has real weight.
Here is what stood out in the box and on the ice:
- DeBrincat took over when the game was calm, then managed it when it got fast.
- Gibson’s 34 saves steadied the room and stole key minutes.
- Calgary’s third period spark showed belief, but exposed early coverage gaps.
- Depth mattered, with Copp and Kane connecting on key setups.
The coaching tape and the culture piece
Detroit’s details traveled. They layered support under the puck, kept short shifts, and won board battles on the right side of the ice. Sandin‑Pellikka’s reads keep earning trust. Kane’s patience slows games down at the right times. That is veteran influence meeting young legs.
Calgary’s lesson is clear. Their forecheck creates momentum, but they chased for two periods. Slot coverage lagged. Sticks wandered. The late surge will play well in that room, but these are points you cannot spot to a structured opponent. The identity is still there, hard and honest, yet the starts need to match the finishes.
Circle the rematch. Detroit has Edmonton on Thursday. Calgary hosts Los Angeles on Saturday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who starred in the Red Wings win?
A: Alex DeBrincat had two goals and one assist. John Gibson made 34 saves and controlled the game’s pace.
Q: How did Detroit build the early lead?
A: Speed through the neutral zone, clean exits, and quick touches off the rush. Goals from DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin, and Axel Sandin‑Pellikka set the tone.
Q: What triggered Calgary’s third period rally?
A: Joel Farabee’s penalty shot goal sparked belief. Matt Coronato and MacKenzie Weegar followed as the Flames pressed high.
Q: What does this mean for the Atlantic race?
A: Detroit returns to first place. The four game win streak and improved special teams put pressure on the pack.
Q: What is next for both teams?
A: Detroit visits the Oilers on Thursday, finishing a tough back to back. Calgary hosts the Kings on Saturday in a response spot.
Detroit just won a road game that felt like a measuring stick. The stars finished. The goalie delivered. The group absorbed a storm and walked out with two points and the division lead. December gave us a playoff taste, and Detroit owned the moment.
