The NHL’s hottest team continues to get contributions up and down its roster.
The Detroit Red Wings scored a season-high eight goals against Washington on Tuesday while collecting their sixth consecutive victory. They are tied with the Nashville Predators for the league’s longest active streak and will look to extend it on Thursday when they host the New York Islanders.
Detroit, which ranks in the top five in goals per game, scored eight goals for the first time since Nov. 15, 2017. The Red Wings don’t have a 30-goal scorer but a dozen of their players have at least 10.
Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere needs only one more goal to join that group. He scored his eighth and nine goals in the 8-3 victory.
Detroit led 2-0 after the first period and extended the advantage to 5-2 on J.T. Compher’s short-handed goal with 13 seconds left in the second. The team’s leading goal scorers, Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin, finished off the eruption.
“We got ourselves a little bit in trouble there in the second period, but this was a big night for our offense,” coach Derek Lalonde said.
The winning streak has lifted the Red Wings to the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They’re also just two points behind Toronto for the third spot in the Atlantic Division.
“It definitely feels a lot better when you’re in this position,” forward Joe Veleno said. “I love playing hockey and love being part of winning teams and I have always been for the most part in my (junior years). I love playing in these kinds of games and being in big moments. … When we’re in this position and we’re hot and climbing (the standings) it’s real fun to be part of.”
DeBrincat has four goals in his last three games. Patrick Kane recorded two assists on Tuesday to extend his point streak to nine games.
The rest of the league is noticing how dangerous the Red Wings’ offense can be.
“They’re as good as any team in the National Hockey League,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said.
The Islanders are coming off a 3-2 overtime victory over Dallas on Monday. Bo Horvat scored the game-winner.
“We’re getting a lot of scoring chances, it’s about time one went in with all the chances we had (Monday),” Horvat said. “We’re doing a lot of good things, it’s just a matter of getting wins behind it.”
Coach Patrick Roy shook up the line combinations and liked what he saw.
“I thought every line had something,” Roy said. “We had a good practice (Sunday), it had a very good vibe. It’s fun to see them be rewarded.”
The Islanders have gone 2-3-2 over the last seven games and need a prolonged winning streak to get back in the playoff picture. The victory over a solid Stars team gave them a boost.
“We played against a very good hockey team,” Roy said. “They’re first in their division, they’re a fast team and it was a good road game. It’s not an easy building to play in, so I was very happy.”
The Islanders and Red Wings haven’t seen each other since Oct. 30, when Detroit pulled out a 4-3 win on Lucas Raymond’s overtime goal.
–Field Level Media
