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Red Wings Notebook: Overtime Assassin Strikes Again

OT Benny comes through for Detroit

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3 months ago

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Ben Chiarot
Defenseman Ben Chiarot is suddenly becoming an offensive threat for the Red Wings.

When it comes to dangerous performers on the Detroit Red Wings, unless you’re an opposition puck carrier, it’s unlikely that you’d be including defenseman Ben Chiarot on that list.

Suddenly, though, Chiarot is turning into an offensive threat for the club.

He drew an assist on Thursday’s overtime winner by Patrick Kane as the Red Wings were edging the Colorado Avalanche 2-1. That point came on the heels of Chiarot’s OT-winning goal on Monday at Seattle to beat the Kraken 4-3.

“He’s been a little bit of an overtime assassin,” Detroit captain Dylan Larkin said of Chiarot. “That’s what he’s calling himself in the room.”

His teammates were affixing a different handle to the veteran defenseman.

“OT Benny, the boys are calling him,” Red Wings coach Darren Lalonde said. “Benny’s had a really good season up to this date. His game has really elevated. He’s been good all year.

“So a little confidence in overtime, it doesn’t surprise me. He’s playing at a pretty high level.”

It isn’t the style of hockey the Red Wings are accustomed to seeing from the stalwart Chiarot.

“He’s a little bit of a more steady, behind the scenes defenseman,” Larkin said. “He blocks shots, he plays hard, he defends teammates. When you see a guy like that making big plays, it gives you a huge boost.”

Another Red Wings Comeback

Going into the third period Thursday down 1-0, the Wings came back to win yet again when trailing after two periods. That’s eight wins from that scenario, tied with the Avalanche for the NHL lead. Detroit’s 18 points (8-14-2) when trailing after two periods is an NHL high.

“Not chasing it,” Lalonde lists as the key to the rallies. “I think we stick to our game. We don’t need to chase the extra goal. It’s gonna come if we do things correct.

“The extra goal or two goals. I think our guys have done a pretty good job with that. A little step in our maturity as a group.”

Ice Chips

Forward Matt Luff, out all season due to injury, was activated by Detroit and given assignment to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins . . . Detroit’s seven OT wins are tied for second in the NHL . . .Red Wings forward Patrick Kane is riding a six-game points streak.

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