How’s this for a transformation?
The Detroit Red Wings were tied for last place in the Eastern Conference five weeks ago. Now, they’re in a playoff spot.
The remarkable reversal under coach Todd McLellan continued Sunday with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.
Alex DeBrincat scored his second goal of the game with 42 seconds remaining in OT on a give-and-go with Lucas Raymond.
The Red Wings (27-21-5) have won six in a row and moved into a wild card spot with 59 points, just one point behind third-place Ottawa in the Atlantic Division.
The Red Wings are 14-4-1 under McLellan, having fashioned winning streaks of seven and six games.
Alex Lyon made 25 saves. The Red Wings have allowed only 11 goals in their past seven games (6-0-1).
The Red Wings wrap up the four-game Western trip Tuesday at Seattle (10 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network).
DeBrincat’s goal was his 23rd, tying him with Dylan Larkin for the team lead.
Filip Chytil tied it at 2-2 at 10:46 of the third by cutting across the slot and firing in a shot from a sharp angle. It was his first game with the Canucks following a trade from the New York Rangers.
Ben Chiarot snapped a 1-1 tie at 5:54 of the second period with a shot from the point through traffic. It was his third goal. Elmer Soderblom, who provided a net-front screen, assisted to give him points in four consecutive games (goal, three assists).
DeBrincat tied it at 1-1 at 6:05 of the first period, cutting to the middle of the ice during a three-on-two break and snapping in a shot from the slot.
Former Red Wing Pius Suter opened the scoring at 4:19, tipping in a shot from Elias Pettersson. Officials reviewed to confirm it wasn’t knocked in by a high stick.
Patrick Kane returned to the lineup after missing five games with an upper-body injury but did not figure in the scoring.
Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, last year’s Norris Trophy winner, missed the game due to an injury.