TORONTO — The Detroit Red Wings’ top line managed to maintain the playoff race.
Dylan Larkin scored 41 seconds into overtime to lead the Wings to a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday at Scotiabank Arena, giving the Wings 87 points with two games remaining. The Wings (39-32-9) host the Canadiens on Monday and will play in Montreal on Tuesday.
At the end of the first period, the Wings were in a good position, with two goals from Alex Debrincat and one from Simon Edvinsson and David Perron.
By the end of the second period, the Wings were in dire straits. Not only because they had given up a three-goal lead as Nicholas Robertson, Auston Matthews and John Tavares all scored on James Reimer, but because of two afternoon plays. The Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers both won to reach 87 points, and when they face each other on Tuesday, one of them is guaranteed to reach 89 points, and both hold the first break in tied in Detroit with 30 regulation wins each.
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An important step for Reimer
A confluence of events worked in favor of Reimer’s debut: he led the Wings to victory in Toronto in January; he played for the Leafs, so he’s used to the arena, and Alex Lyon looked like he needed a break after fighting the puck in the 6-5 overtime loss to Pittsburgh. Last but not least, it was Reimer’s 500th career game.
“These milestones are just impressive,” said coach Derek Lalonde. “The eightieth goalie to reach 500 games, and the way he did it: competition, hard work. I think it’s fitting that he does it here in Toronto in a meaningful game for our organization.”
Reimer made 31 saves.
DeBrincat finally scores again
Joe Veleno’s hit on Timothy Liljegren midway through the first period left the Wings shorthanded, and they fell behind when Mitch Marner converted on an open shot from the left side just 22 seconds into the game. after the start of the power play. The Wings tied the game in less than 2 minutes, thanks to a well-deserved goal from DeBrincat. The two-time former 40-goal scorer (with Chicago) was stuck on 24 goals since March 26, but his hot hands from the previous game, when he set up Lucas Raymond’s three goals, finished off a Raymond layup at 10.:02. Larkin also helped, giving this line 13 points from the previous game. DeBrincat scored again at 17:37.
The start seemed promising
Edvinsson, the rookie defenseman recalled to the minors in mid-March, scored his first goal of the season between DeBrincat’s two men. Edvinsson controlled the puck along the boards, strode in and passed it to David Perron who was near the net. Perron passed it back to Edvinsson, who was able to redirect the pass behind Ilya Samsonov. Edvinsson fell to his left knee as he raised his arms in celebration.
Perron added his second point of the night by scoring with 16.8 seconds left in the first period, giving the Wings a 4-1 advantage.
Contact Hélène St. James athstjames@freepress.com. Am here@helenestjames.
Learn more about theDetroit Red Wings and sign up for ourRed Wings Newsletter. His latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available from Amazon,Barnes & Nobles and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via email.
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