Debating the value GM Steve Yzerman’s player acquisitions fills Detroit Hockey Now’s comment section on many days. But anyone watching Detroit’s Monday 5-3 win against the Ottawa Senators would have to agree that he got it right with John Gibson.

As Detroit fans can attest, the Red Wings have many levels of difficulty playing against Ottawa and Brady Tkachuk. That’s why this a major win coming off a poor effort against Pittsburgh

The Red Wings probably should have lost that game. (Shout out John Gibson)

But when good teams go through periods of bad play, they find ways to win anyway.

Back at the top of the division for now, and player confidence hopefully returning. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/zUqSj5FXGw

— jesse (@jdawgLGRW) January 6, 2026

 

Although coach Todd McLellan’s line changes created the necessary offense, Gibson was the primary reason the Red Wings left Ottawa with a win. He set a tone by giving up zero goals in the first period on 17 shots. His 35 saves in the game included 14 while the Senators were on a power play. The Senators were 1-for-6 with a man advantage and Gibson was their best penalty killer.

Gibson is 10-2 over the past five weeks with .925 save percentage. He’s at .934 for his last three outings. Considering how hard it has been in recent years for the Red Wings to get their save percentage above .900, these are impressive numbers.

He’s the first among a few reasons why the Red Wings are No. 1 in the Eastern Conference this morning. The Red Wings are getting exactly what they hoped to get from Gibson.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

John Leonard is back with the Red Wings. He played 11:03 with one shot in the 5-3 win against the Ottawa Senators.

The return of Michal Postava from injury gives the Red Wings a deeper goalie bullpen.

After calling out his top line, Detroit coach Todd McLellan got better results from Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond against Ottawa. He put them on different lines and they both scored.

Red Wings Extra

The Red Wings have to be thrilled with the role Eddie Genborg (44th, 2025) played in Sweden’s gold medal performance at the World Junior Championships. In addition to his eight points, Genborg contributed a physical presence. He generated three shots on goal and was plus-1 in Sweden’s 3-2 triumph over the Czechia in the gold medal game. This is a prospect who is advanced because of his physical attributes.

CONGRATS Eddie Genborg(2nd Round’25) GOLD MEDALIST 🥇#LGRW pic.twitter.com/XMbM3OaOa9

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) January 6, 2026

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: Aarif Deen offers an update on the injuries suffered by Devon Toews and Gabriel Landeskog. Colorado Avalanche

Philadelphia: Take Christian Dvorek off the trade board. The Flyers gave him a new contract. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: The Penguins are terminating Egor Zamula’s contract. Pittsburgh Penguins.