Breaking: Red Wings Stun Islanders With Three-Goal Third, DeBrincat Delivers Late Winner
Detroit flipped the script in the final minutes and took two points the hard way. Down after two periods, the Red Wings stormed back and beat the New York Islanders 3-2 at Little Caesars Arena. Alex DeBrincat scored twice, including the power play winner, as Detroit poured in all three of its goals in the third period. Ilya Sorokin was strong for much of the night, but the decisive shot slid past him through traffic, and the building shook.
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How the Comeback Happened
The first forty minutes belonged to the Islanders. They managed the puck, cycled deep, and kept Detroit on the outside. The Red Wings were patient, but they lacked punch. That changed in the third. Detroit pushed the pace, won races, and planted bodies at the crease. The opening crack came on a rebound finish that cut the New York lead in half. The energy surged. The Islanders sagged.
Detroit tied it soon after, and then the crowd sensed it. The Red Wings were first on pucks, and the Islanders could not get a clean clear. A late penalty put New York in a tight spot. Detroit’s top unit set up, moved the puck with purpose, and found DeBrincat on his off side. He did not miss.
All three Detroit goals landed in the third period. DeBrincat’s power play strike stood up as the winner.
DeBrincat’s Edge Shows Up in Winning Time
DeBrincat’s skill is not a secret, but tonight he showed timing and nerve. His first goal came from a soft spot in coverage. He slipped into the circle, caught in stride, and fired. It looked simple, because he made it simple. High hands, quick release, no extra motion.
On the winner, he waited a beat for a screen to set. Sorokin had bodies in his sightline, and the puck arrived with pace. That is the signature of a scorer, a hard low shot through legs, not a postcard wrister to the top corner. It is the kind of goal you need in a playoff-style third period.
The Detroit bench leaned into it. The staff shortened the rotation and rode the hot hands. DeBrincat took extra reps with the first unit. He hunted pucks, drew attention, and opened ice for others. The game turned when he touched the puck with confidence.
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Islanders’ Late Collapse Raises Red Flags
New York controlled the details early, then let them slip. The biggest issue was the inability to manage pressure along the walls. Failed clears fed Detroit’s push. The penalty late in the third invited danger. On the kill, the Islanders sat back, boxed in, and did not disrupt the seam. Sorokin fought to find the puck through layers, but the structure in front of him lagged.
The Islanders identity is built on closing time and space, plus sharp changes to keep legs fresh. That rhythm broke. Detroit’s forecheck wore on the defense pairings. The Islanders chased, then reached. That is when gaps open and smart scorers strike.
The Islanders have to reset their third period habits. Clear pucks, win draws, and finish checks without fouls.
Coaching Tweaks and What It Means Next
Detroit’s bench adjustments were clear. The staff pushed defensemen to step into the rush. The forwards layered pressure in the neutral zone and backed it up with speed on retrievals. On special teams, puck movement was crisp, with quick touches to pull the box apart. That plan freed DeBrincat to fire from his sweet spot.
For the Islanders, this loss stings because it was there to close out. The lesson is direct. You cannot sit on a one-goal lead against a team with this much speed. The Red Wings leave with a bolt of momentum and a room that believes in late offense. The Islanders leave with work on the kill, and a reminder that discipline is part of defense.
Three Quick Takeaways
- DeBrincat was the best finisher on the ice, and he chose his moments.
- Detroit’s third period forecheck flipped matchups and wore down New York.
- Special teams decided it, with the Red Wings delivering on the late power play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score?
A: Red Wings 3, Islanders 2.
Q: Who scored for Detroit?
A: Alex DeBrincat scored twice, including the power play winner. Detroit’s other goal came earlier in the third period.
Q: Who started in goal for the Islanders?
A: Ilya Sorokin started and allowed the decisive power play goal in the third.
Q: How did the Red Wings turn the game?
A: They won puck battles, attacked the crease, and executed on special teams in the third period.
Q: What does this mean for the standings?
A: Detroit grabs a valuable two points and momentum in a tight race. The Islanders drop points after leading, which can bite later in the season.
Final Word
This was a statement finish by Detroit, built on urgency, structure, and a pure scorer’s touch from DeBrincat. The Islanders had control, then let it slip with soft clears and a penalty at the wrong time. Put it in ink. The Red Wings earned this one at winning time, and they will feel it the next time the game gets tight. Hockey rewards the brave in the third. Tonight, Detroit was brave. 🏒
