The Daily: Is Gibson Gem Game a Turning Point?; Husso Still Husso

John Gibson looked like the goaltender the Detroit Red Wings thought he was Monday night when he posted his first shutout with his new organization. This was also Detroit’s first shutout of the season.

He turned in his best game of the season, posting 39 saves, in Detroit’s 4-0 win against Vancouver. The Red Wings have points in five consecutive games (3-0-2) and are sitting atop the Atlantic Division standings.

Max Smith’s story pointed out Gibson had showstopper saves at key moments. He owns three consecutive wins for the first time in a Red Wings jersey.

Does this mean Gibson has rediscovered the game he had last season when he was 28-11-11 for Anaheim? It’s hard to know. But a better hope for Red Wings fans is that Gibson’s strong performance is an indicator that the Red Wings are ready to find some consistency in their team game.

Before Monday’s win, the Red Wings had not given up fewer than three goals in nine games. They had given up four or more in six of those nine.

STAY HOT, JVR 🔥

James van Riemsdyk has goals in four straight games! pic.twitter.com/Vd9YYmWMyr

— NHL (@NHL) December 9, 2025

James van Riemsdyk’s six goals in seven games is helping to improve the team’s scoring depth. Andrew Copp has scored in two consecutive games. Rookie Axel Sandin Pellikka had his first two-point game of the season. He was also plus-three. It was his first plus game since Nov. 18.

Maybe this game means something. Perhaps it means nothing. Maybe it’s just a win. We won’t know for sure until we see what happens next. The Red Wings play Calgary tonight.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

A downcast Quinn Hughes talked about the difficulty of playing while the Canucks are losing and trade rumors are swirling.

Paywall story: DHN looks at why the Griffins are winning at an unprecedented level this season. To subscribe, click here:

Detroit prospect Carter Bear (13th, 2025) was officially named to Team Canada for the World Junior Championships in Minnesota this season.

Red Wings Extra

Villie Husso is 4-2 with the Anaheim Ducks as the team’s injury replacement. But his save percentage is .875. He’s still the goalie we knew in Detroit…The Griffins play Wednesday at home against Milwaukee (12-6-2). That contest will test the Griffins’ 19-1-0-1 record.

Detroit Hockey Now

Chicago: Jack Bushman writes the Blackhawks got it right by shipping Sam Rinzel and Landon Slaggert to the AHL. Chicago Blackhawks. 

Colorado: The Avalanche are planning on wearing their Quebec Nordiques jersey in the road game in Montreal. Colorado Avalanche.

Florida: Carter Verhaeghe resurgence has helped trigger a Panthers’ resurgence. This could be a chicken-or-the-egg thing. Florida Panthers. 

New Jersey: James Nichols explains why the Devils need to make multiple trades. New Jersey Devils.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski weighs in on what we learned on the Penguins’ road trip. Pittsburgh Penguins.