DeBrincat scores twice in 3rd period, Red Wings edge Islanders

DETROIT -- Alex DeBrincat scored two power-play goals in the third period to help the Detroit Red Wings defeat the New York Islanders 3-2 at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday.

“I’m playing with great players who are getting me the puck in good situations,” DeBrincat said. “I’m just trying to pull the trigger as much as I can.”

DeBrincat has 13 points, including eight goals, in his past eight games.

“Obviously, his ability to put the puck in the net is second to none,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “Sometimes when scorers don’t score, that’s it, but [DeBrincat] does so many other things that he almost drags the rest of the team into the game.”

Lucas Raymond had three assists, and Moritz Seider had two assists for Detroit (19-12-3), which has won five of six and has points in eight of nine (6-1-2).

John Gibson made 16 saves in his sixth straight win. He has a .935 save percentage and 2.00 goals-against average during the streak, which includes two shutouts.

“He just looks more confident and relaxed out there,” McLellan said. “He’s making all the saves he should be making, and he really looks settled in. That’s good for us.”

Emil Heineman and Scott Mayfield scored for the Islanders (19-12-3), who had won three straight and six of seven. Ilya Sorokin made 18 saves.

“I thought we got off to a good start and played 40 good minutes,” New York coach Patrick Roy said. “But they scored off a face-off play to make it 1-1 and then got two great power-play goals from Alex DeBrincat. I don’t think Ilya had much chance on either one.”

Heineman gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 4:27 of the first period, slapping Mathew Barzal’s cross-ice pass over Gibson’s glove. The assist extended Barzal’s point streak to five games (one goal, four assists).

Axel Sandin-Pellikka tied it 1-1 at 2:03 of the third period, pinching in to beat Sorokin from a sharp angle below the right circle.

“That’s a little bit of instinct,” the 20-year-old rookie defenseman said. “I think he was cheating a little for a backdoor tap-in, so I saw a little spot to put it in.”

DeBrincat then gave the Red Wings a 2-1 lead at 3:55 with a power-play goal, going far side off the post from the left circle.

“You have to find a way to kill those penalties,” Roy said. “We’ve done that all year, but we didn’t do it tonight.”

Mayfield tied the game 2-2 at 11:26, taking a pass from Jean-Gabriel Pageau and cutting down the middle of the ice before beating Gibson for his first goal of the season.



Mayfield, though, took a penalty at 16:50 to give Detroit its second power play of the game.

“The puck was bouncing and got into my shin pads,” Mayfield said. “I lost it for a second, and when I swung around to find it, my stick got caught in [Dylan Larkin's] skate.”

DeBrincat put the Red Wings ahead 3-2 at 17:43, scoring his 20th goal of the season off his own rebound. His one-timer from the left face-off dot was blocked by New York defenseman Ryan Pulock, but DeBrincat went short side on his second try, with the shot glancing off Sorokin's mask.

“[Pulock] blocked the first shot and slid off to the side,” DeBrincat said. “So, I’m just trying to get the puck on net as quickly as I can and catch the goalie off guard.”

NOTES: Forward John Leonard made his Red Wings debut, replacing Patrick Kane on a line with DeBrincat and Andrew Copp. He played 13:02 and had two shots on goal, including a breakaway that Sorokin stopped. … Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer had 12 shot attempts, but eight were blocked and three missed the net. … Raymond has 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) in his past 19 games. … Barzal has 27 points (five goals, 22 assists) in 20 career games against Detroit. ... New York outscored Detroit 12-2 in their first two meetings this season.