Red Wings Find Way to Win After Disastrous Third Period

DETROIT– It was Sergei Fedorov night at Little Caesars Arena on Monday, and the Detroit Red Wings celebrated by playing like Fedorov’s 1997-98 Red Wings.

Fedorov’s first Stanley Cup championship team was known for its ability to find a way to win regardless of circumstances.

Coach Todd McLellan’s group embraced that concept when they ignored their squandered third-period, three-goal lead to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 on an overtime goal by Andrew Copp. The Red Wings led 3-0 going into the third period and then gave up two power play goals and a shorthanded tally.

“In the past that we probably don’t win that game,” McLellan said. “The fact that we let it get away on us, but we could still reel it back in, get a point at least find a way to win in overtime. . .”

ANDREW COPP CALLS GAME 🐙

The Red Wings defeat the Hurricanes as Copp scores the Subway Canada OT winner. pic.twitter.com/JI4DuQ6tzH

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 13, 2026

The Copp goal was set-up by fellow Michigan native Alex DeBrincat. Both of the players were growing in the state watching Fedorov play. They were on the bench with teammates Monday night in pregame when his number was retired.

Fedorov was shown on the video screen celebrating the win after Copp converted DeBrincat’s feed. It was DeBrincat’s third point of the game.

The Red Wings, 9-2-1 in their last 12, maintained their one-point lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning downed the Philadelphia Flyers for their 10th consecutive win.

Detroit and Carolina are tied for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. However, the Hurricanes are listed above Detroit because they have a game in hand.

Takeaways

The Red Wings lost to the Hurricanes 5-2 when they played Dec. 27 in Raleigh. . . Gibson has made five consecutive starts for Detroit in goal, but Cam Talbot is the likely starter in Detroit’s next game. . . Defenseman Albert Johansson’s goal was his first in 49 games. . . DeBrincat finished with a goal and two assists

Key Moment

John Gibson played another strong game for Detroit with 31 saves, including a big one against Jordan Martinook with 50 seconds left in regulation. The ‘Canes could have won it in regulation.

Key Stat

The Red Wings are 21-1-1 when leading after 40 minutes this season.

Up Next

The Red Wings at in Boston Tuesday in a 7 p.m. This will be the third meeting with the Bruins this season. Detroit is 1-0-1, winning in regulation and losing in a shootout.