Detroit Red Wings

Fabbri Energy Fuels Red Wings’ Important Win Against Maple Leafs

Published

1 year ago

January 12, 2023

Robby Fabbri scored his third goal in four nights to help the Detroit Red Wings down the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1

DETROIT — Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde called Robby Fabbri “the forgotten injured guy.” But that isn’t really true. Fabbri’s projected return date of Jan. 1 always had a place in Lalonde’s hopes and planning.

“He was one, as the coaching staff, we were anxiously awaiting back,” Lalonde said.

First-year Red Wings coach Lalonde knew Fabbri as an opponent, watched him on video, plus Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman kept telling him “You are going to like him.”

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— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 13, 2023

Today, Lalonde has a keener understanding of his value. Fabbri continued to zip around the ice like a pinball in play and scored his third goal in his fourth game back to spark the Red Wings to a 4-1 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It ended Toronto’s nine-game winning streak against the Red Wings. This was Detroit’s first regulation win against the Maple Leafs since 2017. Before Thursday’s game, the Maple Leafs were 13-0-2 in their last 15 games against Detroit

“(Fabbri) has been as advertised from the previous management and staff,” Lalonde said.

The return of Fabbri to Detroit’s top six forward group has given Lalonde more options with his line decisions. On Thursday, he put Dylan Larkin back with Tyler Bertuzzi and Lucas Raymond. Young Raymond ended up with a goal and two assists. Fabbri played with Andrew Copp and Jonatan Berggren. It was Berggren who set up Fabbri’s power play goal to give Detroit a 2-0 lead.

“(Fabbri’s) got bite,” Lalonde said. “He’s brought energy. Brought compete. Helps with the depth throughout our lines. And he’s pitched in three goals on a team that struggles to finish.”

Third Major Knee Surgery

This from a player who needed almost 10 months to rehabilitate after his third major knee surgery.

“I feel good,” Fabbri said. “I did everything to make sure I was as prepared as possible. The staff here did a great job. We got a handful of games before we go on the road to really get in the swing of things but I’m feeling more and more comfortable every game.”

What Fabbri and the Red Wings liked best is the win against the Atlantic Division rival that was 7-2-1 in its last 10 games. The Maple Leafs came in with a three-game winning streak and Detroit beat them. On Tuesday, the Winnipeg Jets came in with a five-game winning streak and the Red Wings beat the Jets.

The Red Wings won ugly on Tuesday and played impressively against Toronto. Ville Husso stopped 32 of 33 shots against Toronto, but insisted he had an easy night because the team played sharply in front of him. He has given up one or fewer goals nine times this season.

Detroit only led 2-1 going into the third and managed to hang on for the win through quality goaltending and defense.

Could this top-notch Red Wings’ performance and the win be a turning point?

Said Fabbri: “That’s more of a win that’s our style, great on the PK, Huss was great in net and just defending a lot better, and from that we created a lot of our offense.