The need for the Detroit Red Wings to elevate their performance level when the season is on the line is simple to understand and far more difficult to achieve.
For the past two seasons, the Red Wings weren’t able to find to the level they needed for success. That’s why their playoff drought reached nine seasons. But this season is different. Since early December, when John Gibson found his comfort level in Detroit’s net, the Red Wings have been a different team — more determined, less fearful of failure, more confident in their ability.
That’s how Thursday night, in probably their biggest game of the season, the Red Wings were able rise up in the third period to come-from-behind to beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-1 to transform potential disaster into a large batch optimism for their chances to make the playoffs.
“We put ourselves in a position where these games are super important,” J.T. Compher said. “We want to play in these games. I thought the guys did a great job of staying patient and being poised and having that belief. You know, it can be hard when it takes a while to get your first one, but there was no panic. We talked about it before the third, and I think that’s why we’re ready for opportunities.”
The Red Wings trailed 1-0 and had they lost that game in regulation they would have fallen out of a wildcard spot. Instead, Detroit, Boston and Montreal all have 84 points. The Canadiens are officially in third place in the Atlantic Division based on having a game in hand.
But all that matters to the Red Wings is they are fired up to play another important game Saturday against Boston. This is a confident team. That’s different from last season.
With three centers injured, the Red Wings have picked up five of their last six available points, earning three of those points by coming from behind.
“It was definitely a playoff environment,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “On the ice there was a lot of competitiveness, battles, emotion. But also off the ice, you could really feel it. We talked about it in the morning. You know, the energy that was in the building was. You could feel it. It’s been there before. But this was heightened as far as the game went.”
Why This Team Is Different
The difference this season is the quality of Detroit goaltending has been stronger because of Gibson. Veterans like J.T. Compher and Andrew Copp are playing at a higher level. The team’s defensive play has been stingier and pricklier, and the tandem of Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane has been dominant, particularly lately. Even with injured Dylan Larkin on the sideline, they are finding some offense.
Compher netted the tying goal, a tally achieved by going hard to the net. DeBrincat contributed the winning goal and two assists. His goal came after Montreal defenseman Mike Matheson fumbled the puck because he lost an edge. There was never a doubt that the man called Cat would score. He cut across the slot and hoisted a shot high into the net.
Andrew Copp came back much earlier from injury than was expected because he wanted to help. He did the heavy lifting in thwarting Montreal high powered offense and then scored the insurance goal.
“On that empty night goal, you can see he’s got his knee back,” DeBrincat said. “He was flying out there.”
Meanwhile, McLellan is a coach who understands why his team is playing well. Copp had played well with DeBrincat and Kane as well, but McLellan chose to keep Compher there because he has been strong around the net of late. Copp thrived in the defensive role.
The other key for this season’s Red Wings team is they are feeding off the excitement of the playoff style energy. They feel like they have earned these big games. Little Caesars Arena was alive.
“It definitely gives you an extra boost of energy,” DeBrincat said. “It’s fun to play in games like that. The crowd was really in it. A pretty cool game to be a part of and hopefully we can just keep this thing rolling.”