Patrick Kane Surge Could Bolster Red Wings’ Hopes

DETROIT  — On a night when the Detroit Red Wings netted six goals and Patrick Kane delivered a game-winning goal with a short-side shot, it’s easy to wonder if this team should score more frequently.

They lost, or gave up, too many scorers this summer  to duplicate last season’s 3.35 goals per game. That was good enough for ninth in the NHL. But shouldn’t they be better than their 25th ranking (2.65 goals per game) they show this season?

“I think in the room, we know that we’re capable of scoring more,” Detroit center J.T. Compher said. “But we don’t want to give up more at the same time. And I think for a good portion of the game tonight, we earned our goals by playing well defensively and playing the right way. And that’s the way you want to create offense, not trading chances all game long and just trying to score more goals.”

Compher scored his first goal in 22 game and Kane delivered broke a 4-4 tie with a goal at 7:32 of the third period to spark the Red Wings to a 6-4 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. That was Kane’s first goal in 11 games. Compher and Kane each had a goal and an assist.

The Red Wings have now won three out of four, and they scored 16 goals in those three wins. They have looked more dangerous than the Red Wings team that has scored two or fewer goals too many nights this season.

A pass from Moritz Seider sent Patrick Kane into the zone in the clear and he cranked a shot from inside the circle. Many scorers would have gone far side. Kane went short side.

Detroit goal!

Scored by Patrick Kane with 12:38 remaining in the 3rd period.

Assisted by Moritz Seider.

Detroit: 5
Philadelphia: 4#PHIvsDET #LGRW #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/NhP1brtjBI

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) December 19, 2024

Didn’t Work Last Time

“Last game I had a similar play and I missed the net to the far side,” Kane said. “So I’ve come, come down that wing a few times in my career and kind of scored going short side. So, sometimes that play happens once or twice in a row and you get redemption the second time. So that’s the way I was kind of thinking.”

An injury has undermined Kane’s offense this season. The Red Wings need more production from him to have hope of pushing for the playoffs.

“Good on him getting the two points,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said.  “Obviously (Kane, Andrew Copp and Alex DeBrincat) also caught themselves out there for two goals against two. So I don’t think we want to get into the trading goals and chances anywhere. But really good sign. But Patty’s been having some touches. He’s had the puck on his stick. He’s had some looks. Felt like it was a matter of time. “