On the surface, this was one game out of 82 in the NHL season for the Detroit Red Wings. In reality, this may turn out to be a game that helps the Red Wings get to where they are seeking be by the conclusion of those 82 games – in the playoffs.

“I think this is one we’ll lean on,” Red Wings forward JT Compher said following a 6-4 victory on Saturday over the St. Louis Blues.

At the 3:12 mark of the second period, the Little Caesars Arena scoreboard read Blues 4, Red Wings 0.

Detroit coach Todd McLellan called his timeout at that point.

What was said? Well, let’s just say that an exchange of pleasantries was not taking place.

“That’s probably a message we’ll keep between us,” McLellan said. “Obviously, it wasn’t, ‘Hey, we’re playing real well. Let’s keep it up.’”

The players were equally non-committal in offering specifics about the tongue-lashing they got from their coach.

“A couple of tough words from Todd, and it was well deserved,” forward Jonatan Berggren said. And I think that it did a good job to wake us up.

“So, yeah, I think that definitely helped.”

SIMON SAYS! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/6e9T1n3OAw

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 26, 2025

By the end of the second period, the Red Wings were narrowing the gap to 4-3. In the third period, the Wings outscored the Blues 3-0. Alex DeBrincat tied it, then Simon Edvinsson scored twice to win it.

Rare Red Wings Rally

This is the 100th year of Red Wings hockey. In that nearly century of action, this was only the fifth time in franchise history that Detroit rallied from a four-goal deficit for a victory.

Considering that the team was coming off a pair of away losses and about to embark on a five-game road trip beginning Tuesday, these two points seem larger than most.

Had they been packing their bags following another lopsided loss, there was a feeling that the season could be quickly getting away from the Red Wings.

Instead, they will be embarking on their journey with a sense of optimism and accomplishment.

“You know, there’s going to be bad periods and bad stretches, and we’re going to get into holes throughout the year,” Compher said. “And this is one that no matter the situation in the game, we’re going to believe that we can come back and get the job done.”

The @DetroitRedWings score twice in 27 seconds and are now within one! 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/DHLgx7vYDf

— NHL (@NHL) October 26, 2025

The words coming from the coach postgame were leaning much more toward the complimentary side of the vocabulary.

“It’s amazing how that game went and how it felt, pre-timeout and post-timeout,” McLellan said. “That’s an incredible comeback.

“We had absolutely nothing going on. It looked like we were discombobulated all over the rink. Anything we did, we were in the wrong spot.

“We checked poorly. We didn’t pick up the right people. It was borderline disaster.

“And then to get it and come back, I think you can build on it.”