Red-hot Wings keep sizzling, defeating NHL-best Jets 4-2

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News on Jan 4, 2025

Published in Hockey

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Whatever it is coach Todd McLellan has done to transform the Detroit Red Wings, it sure is working.

Playing in Winnipeg on Saturday, home of the NHL-leading Jets, the Wings never trailed while defeating the Jets 4-2.

It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Wings (17-18-4) with McLellan behind the bench — they lost his debut against Toronto — and moved the Wings to within two points (40-38) of the final wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Dylan Larkin (15th goal) and Lucas Raymond (16th goal) scored power-play goals, Alex DeBrincat (17th goal) added a big third-period goal and Larkin scored his 16th with an empty-net goal that clinched the victory. Goaltender Alex Lyon made 21 saves to earn the win against likely Vezina Trophy (best goaltender) favorite Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce Township), Lyon's sixth win in his last seven decisions.

Moritz Seider had three assists, while Kane and Raymond assisted on two goals each.

Josh Morrisey and Nikolaj Ehlers scored for Winnipeg (27-12-2).

Ehlers cut the Wings lead to 3-2 with his 12th goal at 16:46 of the third period. But the Wings staved off a Jets comeback attempt in the final two minutes and Hellebuyck was pulled, with Raymond finding Larkin for the empty-net goal with 29 seconds left.

Larkin gave the Wings a 1-0 lead with his 15th goal — and a goal in his third consecutive game — in the first period. The Jets gave Larkin too much room in the circle, Larkin skated into the low circle, and wristed a perfect shot over Hellebuyck's shoulder at 6:25.

Raymond made it 2-0, with yet another Wings power-play goal. Raymond accepted a pass from Moritz Seider, and one-timed a shot from the flank that deflected off the stick of Winnipeg defenseman Neal Pionk and over Hellebuyck at 4:33 for his 16th goal.

Winnipeg got back to within a goal quickly. Morrisey's shot from the point nicked the stick of the Wings' Tyler Motte and handcuffed Lyon, Morrisey's fourth goal, at 5:48.

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