Alex DeBrincat extended his point streak to five games with two goals and an assist as the Detroit Red Wings held off the Calgary Flames for a 4-3 win Wednesday.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Dylan Larkin also scored for Detroit (17-11-3), which won its fourth straight and leapfrogged Boston and Tampa Bay for first place in the Atlantic Division.
The Red Wings are trying to make the post-season for the first time since 2015-16.
Joel Farabee, Matt Coronato and MacKenzie Weegar scored for Calgary (12-16-4), which had its three-game winning streak snapped. Nazem Kadri chipped in a pair of assists.
Making his third straight start, John Gibson made 34 saves for the Red Wings. He improved to 8-7-1.
Devin Cooley stopped 23 shots in the loss, falling to 3-4-2.
Detroit started fast with goals from DeBrincat and Sandin-Pellikka in the opening five minutes.
The Red Wings took a 4-0 lead into the final 12 minutes of the game when Calgary ignited the home crowd with three goals in less than seven minutes to climb within one and set up a furious finish.
Takeaways
Red Wings: DeBrincat’s 16 goals and 34 points through 31 games have him on pace for a career-best 42 goals and 90 points. He was not one of 44 players invited to the U.S. Olympic Orientation Camp in August, but is tied for second among American players in goals behind Jason Robertson (19). He’s also tied for fourth in points behind Robertson (39), Jack Eichel (38) and Kyle Connor (37).
Flames: Momentum from the season-high seven goals Calgary scored against Buffalo on Monday did not carry over as the home side trailed 2-0 and was outshot 7-0 before generating its first shot on goal. The Flames played better after that, but only solved Gibson on their 26th shot. The first goal came off the stick of Farabee on a penalty shot.
Key moment
After Calgary failed to convert on a pair of power plays early in the second period, Detroit responded shortly after with goals 1:28 apart from DeBrincat and Larkin to open up a 4-0 lead.
Key stat
The Red Wings have won seven consecutive games against the Flames, going back to Feb. 9, 2023. It’s their longest active winning streak against a team.
Up next
Red Wings: Visit the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
Flames: Visit the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
