Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Red Wings secured a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Monday afternoon, despite losing forward Lucas Raymond to an upper-body injury midway through the second period. Head coach Todd McLellan stated there was no immediate update on Raymond’s condition, saying, “Obviously, he didn’t return. We’ll have to get him home and evaluate him. We’ll know more tomorrow.”

Goaltender Cam Talbot made 38 saves in the win and highlighted the team’s resilience after Raymond left the game. “We’ve put together a couple good ones here, and we knew this was going to be a tough one and that we were going to need everybody,” said Talbot. “You lose Ray at some point during the game, and other guys have to step up. You throw Apps on that top line, and he buries a big one for us with 45 seconds left. That’s how good teams win hockey games, and we had contributions from everyone tonight.”

Detroit led 1-0 after the first period despite being outshot by Toronto 13-6. Captain Dylan Larkin scored his second goal of the season just after a 5-on-3 power play ended, assisted by Alex DeBrincat and Raymond. The goal marked Larkin’s 244th career NHL goal, moving him past Tomas Holmstrom into sole possession of 12th place on Detroit’s all-time list.

James van Riemsdyk extended Detroit’s lead early in the third period during his first game with the club. Andrew Copp forced a turnover leading to van Riemsdyk’s breakaway goal at 4:25 of the third period. Van Riemsdyk reflected on his debut: “Everything I’ve been through in the last month or here with the family stuff at home, to have the support of the organization and how supportive guys on the team were, just having my first game in a building like this where I have a lot of history in, it was pretty fun to get out there.”

Toronto responded with two goals in the third period—Matthew Knies scored at 7:29 followed by Calle Jarnkrok tying it up at 13:42—but Mason Appleton restored Detroit's lead with less than a minute remaining in regulation time.

McLellan praised his team's persistence: “We were always chasing the game, as they were the other night,” he said. “The quicker, harder and faster team hemmed the slower team. Goaltending was huge, obviously. Talbs’ superior effort in the pipes to give us even a chance to find a way to some points. But then, still the resilience. We gave up a two-goal lead and didn’t quit. It didn’t look like we were real polished, but we didn’t quit. That’s a good sign.”

Van Riemsdyk also credited Talbot for his performance: “[Talbot] was outstanding. He was, obviously, probably the biggest reason why we won the game... Again, you got to find ways to win when maybe you’re not carrying the game as much.”

Talbot commented on his back-to-back starts against Toronto: “I felt good from the get-go. Made a couple big stops early and confidence grows, especially after last game. I’m just trying to make the saves I’m supposed to make and give our team a chance to win. I feel like I was able to do that tonight.”

Detroit will next face off against defending Stanley Cup champions Florida Panthers at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday night.