Detroit Red Wings
McLellan’s Line Changes Pay Off In Win Against Senators
Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan poured all of his lines in a blender for the team’s game against the Ottawa and the resulting mixture came out sweet.
The Red Wings scored five goals for only the second time in a month, and John Gibson made 35 saves, to beat the Ottawa Senators 5-3. This was only the second win in the past eight games against the Senators. The win moved Detroit back into first place in the Atlantic Division with 54 points, one point ahead of Tampa Bay.
McLellan’s line juggling included breaking up Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond and each scored a goal. It was only Raymond’s second goal since Dec. 2. James van Riemsdyk, now playing with Raymond, finished with a goal and two assists.
Andrew Copp also scored his sixth goal of the season as Detroit, the league’s lowest scoring first period team, built a 3-0 lead. The Senators pulled goalie Leevi Merilainen after the first period.
The Senators lost two goals on challenges: McLellan successfully challenged that a goal was offside in the first period. In the third period, the Senators thought they scored a goal, but officials waved it off for goalie interference. The Senators challenged, but the play stood as called.
Takeaways
Emmitt Finnie was minus-2 against the Senators and he’s minus-9 (with no points) in the past four games… Detroit rookie defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka played 13:32 minutes in the game.
Red Wings Key Moment
Michael Rasmussen scored Detroit’s first shorthanded goal in 78 games to restore Detroit’s two-goal lead with 7:07 left regulation. Rasmussen has five points in his past seven games.
MICHAEL RASMUSSEN SHORTHAND GOAL 🚨
RED WINGS LEAD 5-3
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) January 6, 2026
Red Wings Key Stat
Gibson made 14 saves on power plays as Ottawa was 1-for-6 with the man advantage. He was the No. 1 star of the game. Gibson is 10-2 since Dec. 2 with 35 or more saves in five of those wins.
Up Next
The Red Wings will be home to face the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday before heading to a road meeting against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. They beat the Canucks in Vancouver, 4-0, on Dec. 8. The Red Wings lost to the Habs 5-1 at Little Caesars Arena on Opening Night.
I’m glad the Wings won, but just can’t get to enamoured by the game. Ottawa’s goaltending left much to be desired. Ulmark is out on personal leave and the backups leave a lot to be desired We scored 3 goals on our first 7 shots, outshot overall 38/20 and Ottawa had 2 goals called back. Nice to get the 2 pts but just can’t get too excited over the game. Still a lot to be cleaned up. On the positive side JVR had a great game.
Well put Obie,
Between the lack of goaltending on the Ottawa Senators side and Gibson having a stellar game we won by the skin of our teeth.
I’m thrilled to see Leonard on the top line but Kasper has to go, he is a performance sucking vortex from anyone playing with or around him.
Again, the passing is beyond pitiful and our guys are getting lost in their own dust with this man on man defense.
The skating, passing and puck possession are off, I don’t have an answer but its like the entire team is out of sync. Here is an example, during our first power play, Sider is clearing the puck from our zone but doesn’t have the hockey presence to look up and see we had two guys beyond center ice for a breakaway short handed opportunity.
Check it out for yourself, our guy’s just slap at the puck they don’t look up for breakout opportunities and even if the objective is to clear the puck from the zone we don’t. We’re not making deliberate passes for that purpose or to push the action forward.
These are professional hockey players, they have been playing this game their entire lives, passing and knowing where your teammates are on the ice should be at the DNA level by now.
I’m not getting it? From the way they are playing TM has his hands full trying to sort it out. No question, they are a talented bunch but their timing is off and they are not firing on all cylinders…
PBB
Certainly true
Yep. Kasper is a ghost 👻.
Goaltending told the story of this one. For the Wings very good for Ott very bad. By the way: another game of nothing from Kasper the friendly Ghost. He sure is living up to being a “Ghost” 👻
RR Not just nothing from Kasper but a -2.
They need to play better by all means. However, the Wings could have had three more goals in that game. And in terms of luck, the first two Ottawa goals were very lucky.
The poor passing I am guessing should be addressed in or during practices and I think coach T mentioned they will be looking at that today (01/06) in practice.
Danielson benched was the right move. He needs to shoot the puck more. Kasper, I hope comes out of his funk very soon. I am surprised he has not been sent down. Personally, I would send him down and call-up MBN.
By the way, it may be MBN and Genborg as our goal scorers down the road. I should include Bear and Plante in that mix. Regardless, they will need such.
Steve Yzerman, I hope re-signs JVR after this season.
In the off-season, I hope Steve either makes a trade or something. They need another high-end forward… preferably a young one. But how does one come by such?
Haha!
For me, this was less a Wings win than it was an Ottawa loss. They missed a good half dozen great scoring chances by missing open nets or fanning on the puck.
This whole game was like the Bizarro World episode from Seinfeld. The Wings “snipers” were Copp and Ras while Cat missed an empty net from 10 feet. Bizarro indeed.
Interesting that Nate Danielson got sent down to GR. I will say that the young man needs to shoot the puck more. Coach T mentioned that as well.
I agree with you but the question that begs to be asked is what is keeping Kasper with The Wings. As RR posted often this sends a bad message to the other young players with the Wings or in GR.
Is it his checking and defensive play they like overall? To be honest, I am not sure. But I guess that may be it?
So funny that folks have to downvote and cannot simply dialogue. Are people filled with such contempt or anger or something? It is really weird. It is a hockey team and a sport and nothing personal. So strange are some folks in this way. Just be a decent person and discuss. We are fans of the same team.
RW. Like I posted to you in the past don’t let these dummies get to you. They are just doing this to piss you off.
Lol, a downvote. Oy vey! Some people are surreal. We have fans of the same team. Do they have any decency or respect for not only their fellow man, but a fan of the same team? Simply amazing.
I’m not sure if the team accomplished much of what McLellan wanted as far as the way they played. They started slowly, they lost the face off battle, they were out hit and gave up too many shots. If they’re going to improve at even strength, the forwards will have to be more physical. 8 of the forwards had zero hits. 7 of their 9 hits came from two guys, Kasper and Appleton. A win is a win, but it would have been a loss if not for the difference in goaltending. McLellan has been steadily improving the team, we’ll see if he can take them to the next level or if it will require some more changes in the roster. For now, I’m happy with what he’s accomplished.
Nice thoughts. I would state this that the Wings had 3 other missed opportunities for goals as well. DeBrincat, Larkin and I forgot who else ringed the post. And the first two goal by Ottawa were lucky.
I have been stating for a while that the Red Wings need more of their forwards to be physical. In all honesty, I see it in MBN, Genborg, Kiiskinen and Bear. The question is do we need to wait until then?
If Kasper could back to where he was last year, the Wings would be doing even better. I really hope he figures it out. I think he has the ability to do so. Finnie picking it up again would be cool as well.
I sure wish they would call-up MBN. On another note, Genborg has been looking solid. I can see working on and improving his skating in the off-season. And it would be nice if he transition to NA and plays for GR at the start of the season or perhaps make it out of the gate at the NHL level. We’ll see, but all good stuff with those guys.
It was nice to get the two points but I’m not feeling good about that win. Too often the Wings look like they are on a penalty kill even when it’s five on five. Ottawa seems to bring out the worst in the Wings. They need a shake-up. Not just the forward line’s but a trade or demotion.
Your post is spot on RWB. This game against The Senators should not be used as a barometer on how The Wings are doing. I was just watching The Kyper and Bourne Show on Sports Net. Their guest today was Steve Valiquette. He is the President and CEO of Vallie Sports. They are big on analytics. He said that last night Detroit had 6 high danger chances to score and did so on 5. He said Ottawa or any other team could not win with goaltending like that. TM still has work ahead of him.