Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings scored the decisive goal in a shootout, leading his team to victory over the Edmonton Oilers in NHL action on Thursday, January 30, 2025, in Edmonton. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)
The Detroit Red Wings pulled off a thrilling comeback on Thursday, securing a 3-2 shootout victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Lucas Raymond clinched the win with a decisive shootout goal after Detroit erased a 2-0 deficit from the first period. The Red Wings have now won four straight games under new head coach Todd McLellan.
Dylan Larkin, who netted both a regulation goal and a shootout marker and Michael Rasmussen also found the back of the net for Detroit (25-21-5). Since McLellan took over on December 26, the team has been on fire, going 12-4-1.
McLellan’s Leadership Ignites Red Wings’ Momentum
McLellan credited his team for stepping up after a sluggish start.
“We needed more players to get involved,” McLellan said. “We had some passengers in the first period, but we found the extra push we needed in the second and third.”
Under McLellan’s leadership, Raymond and Larkin have flourished. Raymond has racked up 23 points in 17 games, while Larkin has registered points in 14 of those matchups, tallying 10 goals and 22 points. Against the Oilers, Larkin played a crucial role, dominating key face-offs against Edmonton’s top centres.
“That’s a captain’s night,” McLellan said of Larkin’s performance. “To go up against Leon Draisaitl and their top guys in over 35 face-offs, while creating offence and shutting them down, that’s a huge effort.”
Larkin acknowledged the team’s slow start but praised their resilience.
“We settled in during the second and third periods,” Larkin said. “It turned into a solid road game for us, and Alex (Lyon) was outstanding in goal.”
Lyon’s Stellar Goaltending Seals the Victory
Goaltender Alex Lyon was instrumental in securing the win, stopping 44 shots. McLellan emphasized Lyon’s ability to keep the team steady under pressure.
“Alex was a key factor in the victory,” McLellan noted. “Not every shot was dangerous, but he kept us in the game, controlled rebounds, and gave us crucial whistles when we needed a reset.”
Oilers Acknowledge McLellan’s Impact on Detroit
Edmonton forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who played under McLellan when he coached the Oilers, recognized the transformation Detroit is undergoing.
“He’s a great coach, and we all respected him,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “He knows how to get young players motivated, and you can see that with how this Red Wings team is playing.”
Despite the loss, Edmonton (32-15-4) remains a strong contender, having won 11 of their last 15 games.
Detroit will continue its western road trip with upcoming games against Calgary, Vancouver, and Seattle.
