The Daily: Lyon Stops 7 of 8 Shots vs. Ovechkin; Crosby Next

Alex Lyon made 26 saves in the Detroit Red Wings’ 4-2 triumph against the Washington Capitals and seven of them were against Alex Ovechkin.

But Lyon couldn’t stop Ovechkin’s first shot, which leaves Ovi 24 goals short of tying Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 894 career goals. Given his quicker than expected recovery from a fractured fibula, and the fact he’s been able to pick up where he left off before the injury, it seems possible he could pass Gretzky this season.

THE CLIMB CONTINUES FOR ALEX OVECHKIN 🔥

Ovi is now 25 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record pic.twitter.com/w6oaFNRPBe

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 29, 2024

Ovechkin, 39, has two goals in two games since his return, and has scored 17 goals in 20 games. You hear television analysts raving about how he is playing. His eight shots (with one goal) against Detroit was a season high.

“Like, he’s that good,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “He’s chasing Gretzky. (Ovechkin is) doing it a little later on in his career, and he seems to be getting better than he was last year or the year before. And they’ve done a really good job with their team, an excellent job. But he’s done a real good job with his chase to energize that group, too. They get excited for him and and that pumps their team up.”

Red Wings  In Case You Missed It

Bob Duff writes that the Red Wings looked like an NHL team again in the win against the Washington Capitals.

Patrick Kane reaches 1,300 points, leaving him 74 behind Mike Modano for the title of highest-scoring U.S.-born player.

Nate Danielson is racking up points, not goals, in his first regular season with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Red Wings Extra

McLellan’s group is back in action at home New Year’s Eve to face the Pittsburgh (8 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network). The win was important for the start of the new Todd McLellan era, but it didn’t change the reality that the Red Wings are still eight points out of a playoff spot. The Ottawa Senators, holding the final wildcard place in the Eastern Conference, also won Sunday night, beating the Minnesota Wild, 3-1.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: The Bruins have called up blue chip Fabian Lysell to play in their win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Boston Bruins.

Colorado: Colleen Flynn explains what makes Jonathan Drouin’s return unique. Colorado Avalanche. 

New Jersey: The Devils and North Carolina governor at odds over physical game. New Jersey Devils.

Pittsburgh: PHN offers Sidney Crosby’s reaction to breaking Mario Lemieux’s record and his thoughts about the playoffs. Pittsburgh Penguins.