Detroit, MI — In a scenario that might have ended differently a year ago, the Detroit Red Wings clinched victory, thanks to Patrick Kane’s stellar performance, sealing a 2-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night in overtime.
Kane’s decisive goal came at 3:42 of overtime, as he swiftly capitalized on a pass from Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, unleashing a precise shot from the top of the hash marks that sailed past Avalanche goalie Justus Annunen, marking his 10th goal of the season.
A significant addition to the Red Wings roster, Kane, the third-highest scoring American player in NHL history, joined the team as an unrestricted free agent in late November. His contribution highlights the depth of talent within the Red Wings, with Kane becoming the 12th player on the team to achieve at least 10 goals this season.
Coach Derek Lalonde commended the team’s collective effort, acknowledging their ability to secure goals that may have eluded them in the past. Dylan Larkin and Nathan MacKinnon scored for their respective teams, with Larkin notching Detroit’s other goal.
The victory marked the end of the Red Wings’ 10-game losing streak against the Avalanche, a feat they hadn’t achieved since March 18, 2017. Despite the Avalanche’s previous dominance over the Red Wings, Detroit’s perseverance paid off, securing their first win against Colorado at Little Caesars Arena in six attempts.
Alex Lyon, in the Detroit goal, made 28 saves, while Justus Annunen showcased his prowess with 30 saves for the Avalanche, earning praise from coach Jared Bednar for his outstanding performance.
Despite the loss, the Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon continued to impress, adding to his impressive tally of 34 goals this season, while Detroit’s Dylan Larkin equalized on the power play, notching his 25th goal of the season.
With this win, Detroit advanced to the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot, surpassing Tampa Bay, and maintaining momentum with three consecutive victories. Meanwhile, the Avalanche’s two-game winning streak came to an end, highlighting their struggles on the road with a record of 1-4-1 in their last six away games.
UP NEXT:
Looking ahead, the Avalanche will return home to face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night, while the Red Wings will host the St. Louis Blues in their next fixture on Saturday.
