Red Wings 2–1 Maple Leafs (OT): Dylan Larkin Nets Winner as Gibson Outduels Woll in Tight Battle at Scotiabank Arena
The Detroit Red Wings pulled off a dramatic 2–1 overtime victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena, thanks to captain Dylan Larkin’s decisive goal at 3:07 of OT. Goaltender John Gibson made 30 saves on 31 shots, outdueling Joseph Woll and anchoring Detroit’s defense in a classic low-scoring, playoff-style contest.
Detroit improves to 31–16–4 (13–8–3 on the road) and extends its recent hot stretch to 7–1–0 over the last eight games, while Toronto slips to 24–17–9 (16–6–6 at home), struggling through a 1–2–2 skid after an earlier 8–0–2 run.
Regulation: Early Goals, Then a Goaltending Duel
All scoring in Red Wings vs Maple Leafs came in the opening period.
1st Period Scoring:
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4:46 – Toronto 1–0 Detroit: Scott Laughton scored his 7th goal of the season, assisted by Calle Järnkrok and Steven Lorentz.
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14:51 – Detroit 1–1 Toronto: Simon Edvinsson tied the game with assists from Dylan Larkin and Moritz Seider.
After the first period, both goaltenders took over. Gibson and Woll were nearly perfect, stopping the majority of the shots while both teams generated few clear opportunities. Detroit outshot Toronto 41–31 over the game but could not break through in the second or third periods. Special teams had minimal impact, as both penalty kills held firm.
Regulation ended 1–1, setting the stage for a 3-on-3 overtime showdown between two skilled squads.
Overtime: Larkin’s Clutch Finish
The decisive moment came at 3:07 of OT. Dylan Larkin jumped into the rush, received a pass, and beat Woll to seal a 2–1 win for Detroit. Larkin also assisted on Edvinsson’s goal, making him a central figure in both Red Wings scores.
Toronto had some puck possession in OT but could not generate a high-danger chance. Gibson’s 30 saves on 31 shots (0.968 save percentage) were crucial, while Woll made 39 saves on 41 shots in a strong but unlucky performance.
Key Performers
Detroit Red Wings:
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Dylan Larkin: 1 goal (OT winner), 1 assist – clutch in overtime and involved in both goals.
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Simon Edvinsson: 1 goal, +2 rating – steady defensive presence and crucial on the back end.
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John Gibson: 30 saves – anchored the win and key to Detroit’s 7–1–0 surge.
Toronto Maple Leafs:
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Scott Laughton: lone goal scorer, giving Toronto the early lead.
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Joseph Woll: 39 saves – strong performance overshadowed by OT loss and lack of offensive support.
Takeaways from Red Wings vs Maple Leafs
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Detroit’s Momentum: The Red Wings continue to trend upward, combining strong goaltending with timely scoring in tight, playoff-style games.
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Toronto’s Inconsistency: After a hot 8–0–2 run, the Leafs have struggled to close out low-scoring games, highlighting issues beyond goaltending.
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Goaltender Duel Defined the Game: Gibson and Woll’s performances kept the contest tight, but Detroit capitalized on the lone overtime opportunity.
Final Score by Period:
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Wings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Maple Leafs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |