Red Wings’ OT Win Vs. Kraken Preserves Playoff Momentum

The Detroit Red Wings beat the Seattle Kraken 4-3 on Ben Chiarot’s overtime goal Monday. But it’s the Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils we need to talk about.

This was a critical win for the Red Wings because they completed a successful salvage operation to earn four points on an eight-point Western Conference road trip. After losing the first two games to Edmonton and Vancouver, they won against Calgary and Seattle.

Those four points leave Detroit four points ahead of the Devils for the second wild card spot and one point behind the Lightning for the first wild card spot. If you factor in that Detroit has a game in hand against Tampa Bay, coach Derek Lalonde’s squad is ahead of Lightning based on points percentage.

By leaving Seattle with a .500 road trip, the Red Wings still have some momentum. Had they lost to Seattle, we would be talking about how the talented Devils were right on their tail.

Three times, the Red Wings claimed a one-goal lead against the Kraken and three times the Kraken tied it up. These are games they would lose in recent years.

But not this season.

Since Alex Lyon took over Detroit’s No. 1 goaltending job, this Detroit team’s resilience has risen significantly. Over their last 25 games, the Kraken have given up one or no goals 10 times, two goals five times and three goals five times. But the Red Wings needed four goals to get the much-needed win. They found a way to get it done.

Meanwhile, Lyon continues to be a consistent, stable presence. He made 38 saves against the Kraken to raise his record to 15-8-2 in his 25 games this season.

Raymond Hottest Red Wing

Lucas Raymond posted a goal and an assist to give him 14 multiple point games this season. Raymond now has 46 points, leaving him just two points behind Larkin for the team lead. No NHLer age 21 and under has more points this season than Raymond.

Patrick Kane also set up a Moritz Seider goal for his 800th career assist.  With 24 points in 25 games, Kane has delivered the offensive push GM Steve Yzerman hoped he would.

Hello, it's Daniel Sprong! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/2gaaVuoc9z

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 19, 2024

As helpful as Kane has been for the team’s offense and morale, Daniel Sprong has to at least be in the conversation with Lyon and Kane for Yzerman’s best offseason acquisition. Sprong, who played for Seattle last season, scored his 15th goal of the season.

With the NHL trade deadline less than three weeks away, Yzerman has some decisions to make about what this team needs. One of their strengths is their team chemistry. It’s hard to know how aggressive he should be in adding players.