A Perfect Night in the Windy City, Wings Shutout Blackhawks
Before heading west for the extended road trip, it’s fair to say the buzz around Detroit wasn’t exactly electric. Inconsistency had become the calling card for the Red Wings, and holding leads felt like a nightly challenge. Sometimes the cure is simply a change of scenery — and for this group, getting away from Little Caesars Arena may have been precisely what they needed.
The Detroit Red Wings wrapped up a grueling six-game road trip Saturday night with an emphatic 4–0 shutout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, putting a definitive stamp on a highly successful stretch away from Little Caesars Arena.
With the win, Detroit improves to 18-12-3, banking nine of a possible 12 points on the trip to finish 4-1-1. For a team trying to solidify its footing in the Atlantic Division, this was exactly the kind of business-like performance head coach Todd McLellan has been demanding.
It wasn’t just about the two points — it was about how they got them. Former Blackhawks stars Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat returned to their old building and looked every bit like the elite talents Chicago once built around. John Gibson was locked in from puck drop. And the kids chipped in, showing once again that this roster runs deeper than just the top line.
Now, before anyone gets too carried away, it’s worth noting that the four wins on this road trip came against teams that wouldn’t be in the playoff picture if the season ended today. That said, road wins — especially out west — are never a given, which is why I’m keeping expectations in check. What this trip did show is that this team is capable of beating the teams it should, and that discipline will serve them well as the season moves along.
Home Cooking on Borrowed Ice
There’s nothing quite like home cooking — even when it’s served in a building that used to feel familiar, but doesn’t anymore.
From the opening drop of the puck, Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane played like they owned the place. Just 55 seconds into the game, DeBrincat struck first, snapping home his 17th goal of the season and setting the tone for a night that quickly tilted Detroit’s way.
DeBrincat was relentless. He finished with two goals and an assist, driving the Red Wings’ offense from start to finish. His empty-netter late in the third — his 18th of the season — put the finishing touches on a game that felt under control almost from the start. In eight career games against Chicago, DeBrincat now has 11 points, and every one of them has come with a little extra edge.
And then there was Kane.
The future Hall of Famer added a goal and an assist of his own, pushing his career total to 498 goals. His first-period tally, set up by DeBrincat, made it 2–0 early and looked like something he’s done a thousand times before — patient, precise, and unbothered by the sweater on the other side.
That ice used to be home.
On this night, it belonged to Detroit.
Finnie Keeps Forcing the Conversation
While the stars handled the headlines, rookie Emmitt Finnie quietly continued to earn his ice time.
The 2023 seventh-round pick extended Detroit’s lead to 3–0 in the second period, crashing the net and burying a rebound off a Lucas Raymond shot. It wasn’t flashy — and that’s the point. Finnie’s game is built on energy, positioning, and effort, and his seventh goal of the season was a perfect example.
When you get that kind of secondary scoring from a rookie, it changes the complexion of your lineup. It takes pressure off the top six and gives the coaching staff flexibility — something this team hasn’t always had in recent seasons.
Gibson Slams the Door
John Gibson did exactly what Detroit hoped for when Steve Yzerman brought him in: he stabilized the crease.
The veteran netminder stopped all 26 shots he faced to earn his 26th career shutout, improving to 5-0 in December and recording his second shutout in his last three starts. While the Wings didn’t dominate the shot clock, Gibson never let Chicago build any real momentum.
Detroit’s penalty kill went a perfect 3-for-3, and Gibson was the backbone of it — calm, controlled, and square to every look. Even when Chicago pushed in the second period, the Wings never appeared rattled.
That’s what confidence in net looks like.
Coach’s Corner
Todd McLellan didn’t hide his satisfaction afterward, especially considering the timing.
“It was a complete game, top to bottom,” McLellan said postgame. “To finish a long road trip in a building like this, with that kind of structure, says a lot about the group.”
The consistency he’s been preaching is starting to show.
A Powerless Power Play
One area that still needs tightening is the power play.
After opening the road trip by going 3-for-5 in Columbus, the Red Wings’ man advantage cooled off significantly, finishing 1-for-10 over the final five games. The puck movement wasn’t always crisp, entries were inconsistent, and too many opportunities ended without sustained pressure.
It didn’t cost them on this trip — but that margin won’t always be there. As well as Detroit played at five-on-five, the power play has another gear it needs to find. Cleaning up the execution and rediscovering that early-trip efficiency could be the difference in tighter games as the season moves forward
What’s Next
The Red Wings finally return home to Little Caesars Arena, where they’ll host the New York Islanders next. New York has won six of its last seven games, including three victories over Tampa Bay — a team tied with Detroit atop the Atlantic Division. With momentum in hand, steady goaltending, and contributions throughout the lineup, the Wings are giving their fans plenty to believe in as the calendar turns toward the holidays.
For now, though, it’s worth savoring this one.
The Wings walked into Chicago, took control early, leaned on their veterans, trusted their goalie — and left with a zero on the other side of the scoreboard.
Now that the road trip has concluded, are you fully on board with this team? Drop a comment below or join the conversation in the Red Wings Wheelhouse — where fans break down every game, every angle
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
