DETROIT \u2014 On a night when Detroit Red Wings rookies were contributing offensively, there was irony attached to captain Dylan Larkin talking about how his group defeated the Seattle Kraken with a \u201cmature game.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Red Wings limited the Kraken to 22 shots, kept Seattle\u2019s dangerous scoring chances to a minimum and played shutdown defense in the third period to beat them 4-2.\u00a0 The win moved the Red Wings into first place in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of the Boston Bruins.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought we did a good job checking and again we didn\u2019t really give up a whole lot coming our way,\u201d Larkin said. \u201c\u2026 We played a mature game tonight when I thought we were tired. That\u2019s a great sign for our team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since squandering a three-goal and losing to Buffalo in overtime game 5-4 Saturday, the Red Wings have turned in two superb defensive efforts against the New York Rangers (a 2-1 win) and the triumph against Seattle. The Red Wings allowed only five shots on goal in the third period. The Red Wings are playing much differently than they did during the collapse against the Sabres. Since coach Todd McLellan called them out that night, they are 2-0. They are also 3-0-1 in their last four.<\/p>\n
At 12-7-1, Detroit now has five more wins than losses. That\u2019s essentially where the Red Wings were at on their Western trip. They were 9-4. It means they have recovered from their 1-4 tailspin.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw high minute players, highly-skilled offensive players, you take all of Larkin\u2019s line, willing to lay pucks in behind, get off and hand off a good shift so we could stay ahead of them. We never got tired,\u201d McLellan said. \u201cI saw guys in shooting lanes, I saw the D with poise and making good breakout plays. I saw us win some draws that were really important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Good in the Circle<\/p>\n