Detroit – There are quite a few things looking promising around the Red Wings lately, leading to a successful road trip so far and a charge into first place in the Atlantic Division after Monday’s 4-0 victory in Vancouver.

But the one item that could be extremely beneficial to the Wings, and it was apparent Monday, was the play of goaltender John Gibson.

When the Wings acquired Gibson during NHL Draft weekend for Petr Mrazek and two mid-round draft picks, it was in the belief that Gibson could recapture the level of play earlier in his career in Anaheim. In those days, when people talked about the top goaltenders in the NHL, Gibson’s name was often in those conversations.

In recent seasons, thought, injuries and sub-par play have put Gibson out of those discussions.

But more games like Monday’s, as Gibson made 39 saves to notch his first shutout as a Red Wing, could show that Gibson is rounding back into form – and that would be crucial for the Wings.

“It took us a while to get our legs and get going, and he saved our bacon in the first (period),” coach Todd McLellan told reporters. “We started to settle down a little bit (in second period) and then made a few mistakes in the third. He was there for us, then the offense got him enough (goals) and we found a way to leave with points.”

It was the Wings’ second consecutive victory on this six-game trip, in which they’re 2-0-1, with consecutive games Wednesday in Calgary (8:30 p.m., FDSN/97.1) and Thursday in Edmonton (9 p.m., FDSN/97.1).

The Wings have earned points in five consecutive games (3-0-2), and thanks to Monday’s victory, moved into first place in the closely-bunched Atlantic Division.

Gibson has been splitting playing time with Cam Talbot, and Talbot actually has outplayed Gibson for most of this season. But Gibson has now won three consecutive decisions and is beginning to look like his old self. He made a bundle of acrobatic saves while blanking the Canucks.

“Anytime you can get a shutout, it’s nice,” Gibson told reporters. “It’s not just a solo effort. The guys did a good job in front of me, forwards blocking shots, (defensemen) clearing out the rebounds and bodies in front of the net. It was a team effort.

“We got some big goals there in the second (period) to kind of keep the momentum on our side, and then just shut it down there in the third.”

Monday’s shutout was the 25th of Gibson’s career, and fourth over the Canucks, who Gibson has had consistent success against in his career. The fact it was Gibson’s first shutout with the Wings was nice but didn’t carry a lot of weight for Gibson.

“It was cool. I mean, first one,” Gibson said. “I’m not much of a milestone guy, but when I’m all done and can look back on it, a cool keepsake and something I can look back on.”

Gibson was superb in the first period, frustrating the Canucks with sparkling saves on a Vancouver power play, prime Canucks chances in the slot, and playing with confidence and swagger he hadn’t consistently shown yet with the Wings.

In the third period, with Vancouver pressing to get back into the game, Gibson was again impenetrable.

“He’s been good but (Monday) was another level,” defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka said. “Some, what do you call them, TV saves? Ones we’re going to see on the highlights after the game. He was incredible.”

Many analysts were pointing to this Wings’ six-game trip as a chance for the team to make a defining statement that they truly are capable of ending a nine-year playoff drought. Nobody in the division, including the Wings, has been able to pull away.

The Wings can get a headstart on the others for playoff positioning if they can keep collecting points.

“We’re kind of getting into a rhythm here,” Gibson said. “Obviously, we’re only halfway through (trip) and have three big ones left, but just kind of build off this one and take it into the back-to-back coming up.”

Red Wings at Flames

▶ Faceoff: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary

▶ TV/radio: FDSN/97.1

▶ Notable: The Wings (16-11-3) take a five-game point streak into Calgary (12-15-4) on the fourth game of this six-game road trip. … Calgary is one of the hottest teams in the NHL, going 7-2-1 over its last 10 games. … The Flames have the eighth-best penalty kill (82.7 percent) but struggle offensively (31st, 2.48 goals-for average). … G Dustin Wolf (9-12-2, 2.95 GAA, .897 SVS) is one of the NHL’s young stars.

tkulfan@detroitnews.com

@tkulfan