The Detroit Red Wings face a significant opportunity as they prepare to meet the Toronto Maple Leafs for the fourth and final time this season at Scotiabank Arena tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The Red Wings haven’t swept the season series against Toronto since 1995 and have not won four times in a single season against the Maple Leafs since 2014.
Both teams enter this matchup riding a wave of recent successes. Detroit boasts a record of 30-16-4 and has posted a commendable 17-5-2 in their last 24 games. In contrast, Toronto, with a record of 24-17-8, has gone 9-2-3 in their last 14.
This game kicks off a challenging three-game road trip for the Red Wings, who will also face Minnesota on Thursday and Winnipeg on Saturday. In goal for Detroit will be John Gibson, who has been stellar since December with a record of 15-2-0, a 2.12 goals-against average, and a .926 save percentage.
The historical rivalry between these two teams has seen a shift recently. After enduring a nine-game winless streak against the Maple Leafs, the Red Wings have rebounded with an 8-3-1 record in their last 12 encounters. Earlier this season, Detroit secured victories over Toronto with a 6-3 win on October 11 and a closely contested 3-2 overtime victory on December 28, fueled by Simon Edvinsson’s timely goal.
Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan expressed confidence in his team’s performance, noting their strong showing in previous matchups. He emphasized the importance of being aware of Toronto’s dangerous offensive players, especially with Auston Matthews, who has scored 11 goals and 19 points in his last 12 games.
In a noteworthy individual milestone, Patrick Kane is nearing a historic achievement, with 1,372 career points, just three shy of surpassing Mike Modano as the NHL’s all-time leader among U.S.-born players. Kane reflected on the team’s resilience this season, highlighting the importance of adapting to challenges, particularly as they approach playoff season.
The stage is set for an exciting evening in hockey as both teams look to continue their strong play and the Red Wings aim for a historic sweep against a longtime rival.