The Detroit Red Wings tonight will play a Calgary Flames team that is playing at a higher level than their place in the NHL standings would indicate.

Based on their season record, the Flames (12-15-4) sit in 30th place overall, just three points better than last place Vancouver. However, for the better part of three weeks, they have been among the NHL’s top five performing clubs. The Flames are 7-2-1 in their last 10. In that period, only the Dallas Stars (8-0-2). Washington Capitals (8-1-1), and Colorado Avalanche (7-1-2) have been better. And that trio represents the top three in the NHL’s overall standings.

The Flames’ current minus-13 goal differential is misleading because they have outscored opponents 38-25 in the last 10 games.  Nazem Kadri has two goals and 12 assists in those 10 games. The Flames have held opponents to two or fewer goals in six of those games. They are 7-4-2 at home

Contrast that to the Red Wings who are 3-0-2 in their last five and outscored opponents 20-16 in that span. Even with John Gibson’s impressive shutout last game, the Red Wings are still giving up 3.2 goal per game in their last five. But they have scored four goals per game.

MAKE IT THREE WINS IN A ROW! pic.twitter.com/BYsJCwH9U3

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) December 9, 2025

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Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka might had his best game as a Red Wings player Monday against Vancouver.

Paywall story: Why the Grand Rapids Griffins own a record of 19-1-0-1? To subscribe, click here:

Was the John Gibson shutout a turning point for this Detroit team?

Red Wings Extra

The Grand Rapids Griffins will honor Dominik Shane Saturday in a pre-game ceremony for becoming the third player to log 500 games played for the team. He is in his 10th season with the Griffins. The others to play 500 games for Grand Rapids are Brian Lashoff (629 games) and Travis Richards (655). Lashoff played 14 seasons in Grand Rapids and Richards was with the team for 10.

 Hockey Now Network

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