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The Detroit Red Wings were handed two heavy defeats by the New York Islanders, losing 12-2. However, forward Alex DeBrincat, one of the hottest goal scorers in the NHL right now, is confident that New York won’t secure a third consecutive win against Detroit.
DeBrincat scored his 19th and 20th goals of the season during the third period of the Red Wings’ 3-2 win at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday night, both on power plays. This achievement marks his sixth consecutive season reaching the 20-goal milestone and makes him the fastest Red Wings player to hit 20 goals since Henrik Zetterberg did so in 2007-08, the year he last won the Stanley Cup.
When asked about his success, DeBrincat attributed it to simply taking plenty of shots on goal. He noted the advantage of playing alongside skilled teammates who can capitalize on scoring opportunities and emphasized his efforts to shoot as often as possible, expressing hope that the momentum will continue.
The Red Wings haven’t had a player score 40 goals in a season since Marian Hossa accomplished it in 2008-09, his only season with the team. After the tough loss in the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hossa moved to the Chicago Blackhawks, where he won three Stanley Cups with current Wings teammate Patrick Kane between 2010 and 2015.
Kane quickly developed strong on-ice chemistry with DeBrincat when they played together in Chicago, and now both share a special connection as Red Wings teammates.
Head coach Todd McClellan praised DeBrincat’s fierce competitive spirit, noting how it positively influences the rest of the team. McClellan highlighted DeBrincat’s exceptional ability to get shots on net and how his energy effectively pulls the entire group into greater engagement, benefiting the team’s overall performance.
Currently, DeBrincat is on track to score 48 goals this season—an impressive tally that would be the highest by a Red Wings player since Brendan Shanahan managed 46 goals after joining Detroit in 1996.
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Fan Take: Alex DeBrincat’s resurgence is a thrilling sign for Detroit fans craving a return to glory. His scoring prowess could be the spark that reignites the Red Wings’ offensive firepower and restores their position as a powerhouse in the NHL.
