Red Wings Flip the Script, Rally Past Islanders 3–2 at LCA
Tuesday night wasn’t just another win for the Detroit Red Wings — it was one that almost never happens against the New York Islanders.
New York entered the game 10-1-1 this season when leading after two periods and had already beaten Detroit twice, outscoring the Wings 12–2 in the process. When the Islanders carried a lead into the third period at Little Caesars Arena, history — both recent and seasonal — suggested the outcome was all but decided.
Then the Red Wings delivered their best period of the season.
Three third-period goals, including two power-play strikes from Alex DeBrincat, handed the Islanders their only regulation loss of the year when leading after 40 minutes, lifting Detroit to a 3–2 comeback win that reshaped the season series and sent a message that this group is learning how to win difficult games.
Stat Capsule 🏒
🔴 Game Leaders
- Alex DeBrincat: 2 goals (both PP), game-winner
- Lucas Raymond: 3 assists
- John Gibson: 16 saves on 18 shots (.889 SV%)
⚡ Special Teams
- Red Wings Power Play: 2-for-2 (100%)
- Islanders Power Play: 0-for-1
📊 Team Control
- Shots: DET 21 | NYI 18
- Faceoff Win %: NYI 54.7% | DET 45.3%
- Blocked Shots: DET 19 | NYI 21
🧱 Defensive Notes
- Islanders held to 18 shots
- Detroit allowed zero power-play goals
- Gibson win streak: 6 straight starts
Final Score: Red Wings 3, Islanders 2
Player of the Game: Alex DeBrincat
Next Game: Wednesday vs. Utah Mammoth
Power Play Difference-Maker: DeBrincat Delivers When It Matters
Alex DeBrincat continues to be the engine behind Detroit’s offense, and Tuesday night was another example of his growing impact. The winger scored twice on the power play in the third period, including the game-winner that sent the LCA crowd into full voice.
DeBrincat now sits at 20 goals on the season, tied for 4th in the NHL. Even more telling is his recent run: eight goals and 13 points over his last eight games. When he’s rolling, Detroit’s offense feels inevitable.
Lucas Raymond deserves equal credit. Raymond finished with three assists, acting as the primary architect on the power play. His patience forced New York’s penalty killers to overcommit, opening lanes that DeBrincat punished with two clean one-timers. The chemistry between the two continues to evolve into Detroit’s most dangerous weapon.
Youth Movement Provides the Spark
Detroit didn’t control the game early. The Islanders struck first on an Emil Heineman goal, finding space in the slot and carrying a 1–0 lead into the third period.
The response came from the kids.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka’s goal didn’t just tie the game — it shifted the momentum. Off a clean faceoff win by J.T. Compher in the right circle, the puck found Lucas Raymond, who quickly dropped it back to Sandin-Pellikka at the point. Instead of settling for a shot through traffic, ASP made a decisive read — pulling the puck off the blue line, attacking the middle, and snapping a short-side shot over Ilya Sorokin’s shoulder.
It was a confident play at a moment when Detroit needed one.
The Red Wings had struggled to generate much to that point, and Sandin-Pellikka’s willingness to attack space rather than defer was a clear sign of his growth. I recently wrote about his development, and this sequence captured it perfectly: recognizing opportunity, trusting his instincts, and making a play when the game demanded it.
DeBrincat delivered the finish, but Sandin-Pellikka provided the spark — and without it, Detroit never gets the chance to flip the game in the third.
Tuesday also marked the Red Wings debut of John Leonard, who filled in for Patrick Kane on the second line. Leonard didn’t find the scoresheet, but his speed and forechecking stood out, adding energy and structure to a lineup that needed it.
Gibson Steadies the Crease
John Gibson’s influence continues to extend beyond the box score. He stopped 16 of 18 shots, but the timing of those saves mattered far more than the volume. The win came after an announcement that he had been selected as the NHL’s second star of the week.
Brought to Detroit to help stabilize the goaltending situation, the early returns were anything but steady. Gibson became a polarizing figure in Hockeytown during a difficult stretch that saw him lose six of seven starts. But it’s almost never entirely on the goaltender.
Improved structure and commitment in front of him have played a role in this turnaround as well, and that context matters. Still, it doesn’t take anything away from the level Gibson has played at recently. He’s been very good, and this win extended his personal streak to six consecutive starts.
That calm presence has clearly settled Detroit’s defensive play. The Red Wings look more composed in their own zone, trusting that mistakes won’t automatically end up in the back of the net.
There was also a brief scare when Nate Danielson left the game after taking a shot to the head, but he returned within minutes and finished the night, avoiding a potential injury concern down the middle.
Turning a Corner
When you zoom out, Tuesday night’s win carries weight beyond the standings.
The Islanders are built to protect leads. They rarely cough up games late, and they certainly hadn’t done it in regulation all season when leading after two periods. They also hadn’t shown much mercy to Detroit earlier this year, outscoring the Red Wings 12–2 across two convincing wins.
That’s what makes this one different.
Detroit didn’t steal this game — they earned it. Special teams execution, patience, and a composed third period flipped a narrative that had leaned heavily toward New York. While the Islanders still hold a 2–1 edge in the season series, this matchup no longer feels one-sided.
Good teams find ways to rewrite uncomfortable trends. On Tuesday night, the Red Wings did exactly that — handing the Islanders a loss they rarely allow and proving that this group is learning how to close the gap against teams that used to have their number.
Will DeBrincat cool off or continue his torrid pace? Drop a comment or join the conversation in the Red Wings Wheelhouse — where fans break down every game, every angle.
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Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk
