Alex Debrincat came up big with 2 goals and an assist as Lyon stopped 25 of 27 for another win being outshot on this western swing for the team. With only 17 shots, Detroit ended up with the overtime game winner courtesy of Debrincat’s 23rd goal of the season. The current win streak is up to 6, and the Canadian portion of the trip was a sweep for Detroit thanks, in no small part, to a goalie tandem that is keeping the team in situations where they are being outshot. While the total count for an OT game was 27 for Vancouver and 17 for Detroit (not quite the type of traffic that Edmonton or Calgary brought) it was still a big night for Lyon who has alternated with Talbot so far on the trip.
It’s a very similar feel to last year’s walk up to free agency as the team seemed to stabilize in January, but this year it was a more drastic scenario change as coach McLellan was brought in and the team has responded with a 7 game win streak, now working with a 6 game and counting win streak. Vancouver had a fairly big splash that saw J.T. Miller head to New York this past week after the team acknowledged that there were tensions in the room.
The team is doing well on what was roundly agreed upon in the comments section as a tough stretch that they have ahead of (now partially behind) them. It’s exciting to see the team grab the ‘W’, but should Atlas shrug (a.k.a. The goalie) the team could find themselves on the other side of the post game. But, for a sixth straight time the players will see the Winged Wheel facing out on their jerseys when they face their next opponent, Seattle.
If you’re not familiar with the tradition, after a loss the jerseys are hung with the player’s name facing out before the next game to symbolize a need for everyone to take accountability. The logo faces out after a win, symbolizing that wins are done as a team working together. Still, it’s a sincere hope that the goalie’s aren’t buying their own steaks on this trip (or whatever the vegan option is should it be applicable).
Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and how this trip has felt as you watch the team pick up 2 points in 3 out of 3 buildings so far.
*Quick update on Petry - Jeff Petry will be out for 6 to 8 weeks after undergoing surgery.
1st Period goals:
Former Red Wing Pius Suter opened the scoring at 4:19. 1-0 VAN
Debrincat got his 22nd of the season at 6:14 to tie the score. After Vancouver missed a shot on net, the puck bounced to the half wall. Copp got it quickly to Debrincat who skated into the O zone, skated toward center and shot the puck in the high left corner while skating to the right. 1-1
At 5:52 of the 2nd period, Chiarot scored his 3rd of the year. Berggren was low in the O zone and sent the puck to Chiarot at the blue line. The dman skated left and let go a wrist shot with Rasmussen and Soderblom both able to act as screens. 2-1DET
At 4:18 Debrincat struck for his second of the night. Vancouver was on the attack and Seider likely saved a goal with a poke check that kept the Canucks from scoring into a wide open net after a save by Lyon. The puck then went to Debrincat who skated down to the O zone and with a quick give and go that saw Raymond quickly return the puck Debrincat had plenty of open net in front of him.