🏒 Wings Wrap-Up: DeBrincat Breaks Through as Wings Complete Unbelievable Comeback
Part of the Mitten Digest — your weekly look at what’s trending across Michigan sports.
When the Goals Wouldn’t Come
Alex DeBrincat’s early-season story was one of effort without reward. Despite ranking among the NHL’s top five in high-danger scoring chances, he was the only player in that group without a goal — a stat that felt heavier with every game.
You could sense the pressure mounting — like a Labatt Blue Light left in the freezer too long.
Every shift had that extra beat of anticipation. Every wrist shot that sailed wide or caught iron drew a collective groan from Hockeytown. And in the first period against St. Louis, when DeBrincat hit two goalposts, you could almost feel the weight of it from the stands. He looked up after the second — maybe toward the rafters, maybe toward fate — as if to ask: What more do I have to do?
Then Came the Moment
Down 4–0, the Red Wings’ night looked lost. Then the comeback began — one goal, then another, and suddenly the energy in Little Caesars Arena changed. And when DeBrincat buried the fourth goal — the one that tied the game — the dam finally burst.
It wasn’t just a goal. It was the goal — the one that turned belief into inevitability. The crowd exploded, teammates mobbed him, and you could see the release in his celebration. For a player who’d done everything right without a result, it was pure catharsis.
From Frustration to Fuel
That goal completed Detroit’s climb from a four-goal deficit, setting up what became a 6–4 win — one of the most improbable in franchise history. It marked just the fifth time the Red Wings have rallied from four down to win.
But inside the larger story, DeBrincat’s night felt like a turning point. His persistence through frustration became the spark for the team’s belief.
Head coach Todd McLellan put it best afterward:
“Cat finally got rewarded. He should have seven or eight goals right now.”
It was the perfect summary — acknowledgment of both the frustration and the inevitability of DeBrincat’s breakthrough.
A Turning Point for Both Player and Team
This was more than two points in the standings. It was a reminder that even elite scorers sometimes have to grind through the quiet stretches — and that resilience can be contagious.
DeBrincat’s breakthrough mirrored the team’s comeback: persistence rewarded. If this game truly marks the night he rediscovered his scoring touch, Detroit’s offense just found another gear — and the rest of the Atlantic Division should take notice.
🌴 Next Up: The West Coast Test
If Saturday night was a reminder of what this Red Wings team can be, this upcoming five-game trip will show what they really are.
Detroit now heads west for one of those dreaded swings that always seem to trip up Eastern Conference teams — late puck drops, long flights, and opponents that love to feast on tired legs.
Patrick Kane won’t be on the ice to start the trip, still sidelined as he works his way back from a lower-body issue. The Wings have been 2-2-0 without him, and while they’ve managed to grind out points, there’s no question his absence changes the dynamic. McLellan hinted Kane could return before the road trip wraps up — and if that happens, Detroit’s top six will get an instant jolt.
Still, this group showed against St. Louis that they can generate their own spark. That kind of belief travels.
Upcoming Schedule
- @ St. Louis Blues – Oct 28 (8:15 PM)
- @ Los Angeles Kings – Oct 30 (10:30 PM)
- @ Anaheim Ducks – Oct 31 (10:00 PM)
- @ San Jose Sharks – Nov 2 (8:00 PM)
- @ Vegas Golden Knights – Nov 4 (10:00 PM)
As a fan, it’s tough to make it through many of these games with their late starts. Several won’t wrap up until the wee hours of the morning, so trade the evening decaf for something leaded and you’ll be all set. And for you diehard Wing-nuts out there — a sick day might not be out of the question either.
As October gives way to November, the Wings don’t need perfection — they need consistency. A strong trip would prove that Saturday’s comeback wasn’t a one-night high, but the start of something sustainable.
