RECAP: DeBrincat’s hat trick helps Red Wings top Flames, 6-2, for fifth straight win

DETROIT -- Scoring goals in the NHL is no simple task, but Alex DeBrincat is finding the back of the net at a historic pace to open the 2023-24 season.

DeBrincat recorded his fifth career NHL hat trick Sunday, becoming the first player in Detroit Red Wings history to score at least eight goals through his first six games with the franchise, in a 6-2 win against the Calgary Flames at Little Caesars Arena.

“I thought tonight was one of the most complete 5-on-5 games,” said Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who extended his point streak to six straight games with a goal and an assist. “We scored at big times of the game. Then it seemed like just get it to the Cat, and it was going in for him.”

Detroit won its fifth consecutive contest, improving to 5-1-0 (10 points) to start a season for the first time since 2011-12. Red Wings goalie James Reimer made 29 saves against Calgary (2-3-1; 5 points).

“It’s just a good stretch,” Detroit head coach Derek Lalonde said. “A huge credit to the guys. It was a really productive camp. Guys were locked and it's just kind of bled into the start of our season."

DeBrincat scored his first goal just 1:59 into the first period, one-timing Justin Holl's centering feed past Calgary netminder Dan Vladar. Lucas Raymond grabbed the secondary assist.

“He’s got a lot of speed, is a great hockey player and has a great hockey IQ,” DeBrincat said about Raymond, who tied an NHL career-high with three assists. “Definitely an underrated part of his game is his forecheck, the way he gets pucks back and put them in easy spots for us.”

Joe Veleno doubled the Red Wings’ lead just 7:45 later, deflecting in a point shot from Ben Chiarot. Holl added an assist on the goal, marking Veleno’s third in the past two games after the 23-year-old forward scored twice in Saturday’s 5-2 road victory over the Ottawa Senators.

Larkin pushed it to 3-0 at 2:00 of the second, taking a cross-ice feed from DeBrincat and beating Vladar with a shot from the left face-off circle. After Calgary cut it to 3-1 at 12:12, DeBrincat scored another goal at 13:33 to put Detroit ahead, 4-1. The Flames trimmed their deficit in half, 4-2, with 1:26 remaining in the middle frame.

Jake Walman extended the lead to 5-2 at 3:07 of the third, burying a point shot off a pass from Daniel Sprong after David Perron won a face-off on the left side. DeBrincat capped the scoring with his third goal of the game just 37 seconds later.

Through six games, Detroit leads the NHL with 30 goals.

“It’s exciting,” Larkin said. “I know the fans are excited. We’re excited as well but know we need to build off tonight, which I thought was our best performance.”

NEXT UP: The Red Wings will host the Seattle Kraken Tuesday for a rare 8:15 p.m. puck drop at Little Caesars Arena.

QUOTABLE

Lalonde on Reimer's effort against the Flames

"Consistent. He almost reflects our team. A really strong camp that led into his play. Two good starts. You just hope to get quality starts from the goaltending. I'd call that probably at least three in a row (quality starts) for us."

Larkin on Detroit’s impressive start to the season

“It’s the start we were wanting. I don’t think we had a great preseason. It took some time, but we really got out of the gates hot. It’s exciting.”

Larkin on the high-volume scoring

“It’s coming from all over and in different ways. After the emotions of last night’s big win, to turn around, come back and play like that is a big thing for us. It was a big message after the game, to set our sights quickly on tonight. We did that. Reims was great again. Huge four points on the weekend.”

Larkin on DeBrincat

“His hockey sense is off the charts. Everyone knows he can score, but how he finds space and pockets it honestly took a little bit to get used to. I’ve haven’t played with a player who is looking in spots not many can find. I’ve tried to really keep my eyes open for him when I have the puck, but also when he has the puck I’m trying to get open as well.”