Detroit Red Wings Notch Big Win Over Nashville Predators

Two days. That’s all it took for the Detroit Red Wings to respond to one of the most pointed callouts of their season. After Head Coach Todd McLellan ripped into his team following a sloppy 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, famously telling reporters that some players were just “jerseys” out there, the Red Wings came out in Nashville and played like they actually wanted to wear those jerseys. The result? A satisfying 4-2 win over the Predators.

Hockey is funny like that. Sometimes a coach has to light a fire under his guys. Sometimes those guys actually show up and prove a point. Monday was one of those days.

Red Wings Come Out Flying In Nashville

The atmosphere at Bridgestone Arena had a bit of a road-game-at-home feel. Red and white dotted the stands almost as much as Nashville gold and blue. That is a testament to how far Detroit’s fanbase travels. The Wings rewarded their road faithful by scoring first and carrying that momentum deep into the game.

It wasn’t a perfect night by any stretch. Goaltender John Gibson went down with an upper-body injury after the first period, forcing Cam Talbot into action. Losing your starter in the middle of a tight road game is about as welcome as a penalty shot in overtime.

Marco Kasper Steps Up In a Big Way

Let’s talk about Marco Kasper, because he had himself a night. On Detroit’s first goal, Kasper carried the puck into the zone with purpose, found Mason Appleton, and drew a shot that led directly to Emmitt Finnie burying the rebound. It was the kind of play that doesn’t show up flashy in the box score but makes coaches breathe a little easier. Finnie’s goal was his first since Dec. 23.

The game had its share of back-and-forth drama. Nashville’s goal horn went off at 7:45, only for officials to immediately wave it off—Michael Bunting was camped in Gibson’s crease like he owned the place. A Wings goal was also disallowed after Kasper made contact with Saros. It was that kind of first period.

Then Nashville tied it. Filip Forsberg ripped a pass from Luke Evangelista to knot it 1-1 with 2:28 left in the opening frame. The Predators then took a 2-1 lead 7:10 into the second when Jonathan Marchessault got a tap-in off a slick Ryan O’Reilly setup.

Lucas Raymond and Albert Johansson Flip the Script

Down 2-1, the Red Wings needed a spark. Lucas Raymond provided it. Raymond glided up the right side with perfect timing and redirected a DeBrincat pass to tie the game. Andrew Copp picked up an assist, his first point in six games.

But the real highlight came shorthanded. Kasper outmuscled Roman Josi along the boards to steal the puck and immediately took off on a two-on-one with Albert Johansson. One feed later, Johansson unloaded a slapshot for only his second goal of the season, and a 3-2 Red Wings lead at 15:36 of the second.

Alex DeBrincat Puts It Away

With Nashville pressing in the final minutes and Juuse Saros pulled for the extra attacker, Alex DeBrincat settled the nerves with an empty-net goal with 26.8 seconds remaining. Raymond added the assist. Game over. Red Wings win, 4-2.

Red Wings Playoff Picture Looks Better By the Day

The win pushed Detroit (35-20-6) to 76 points and into third place in the Atlantic Division. The Buffalo Sabres sit right there with them at 76 points, though they’ve played one fewer game and hold a better points percentage. The Tampa Bay Lightning lead the division with 80 points, but they’ve played three fewer games than the Wings. Every point matters. Every two-point win on the road matters even more.

What Comes Next For the Red Wings

The Wings have been road warriors lately. Detroit hasn’t played at Little Caesars Arena since January 31, thanks to back-to-back road trips bookending the NHL’s Olympic break. That long stretch away from home finally ends Wednesday when the Vegas Golden Knights come to town for a 7 p.m. puck drop.

Vegas entered Monday leading the Pacific Division with 70 points. It won’t be a soft landing back home, but after Monday’s performance in Nashville, you get the sense this Red Wings group is ready to embrace the challenge.