The Detroit Red Wings can't let opportunities go to waste. So when they're playing against teams they're supposed to beat, losing is not an option.
That was the case on Sunday night when they played the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto isn't necessarily a bad team, but they're last in the Atlantic, and the Wings are pacing the Atlantic with 49 points. So they had no choice: it was either beat T-Town, or you don't deserve to sit atop the division.
Simon Edvinsson knew the mission when the Wings took the game into overtime over 15 minutes after Mason Appleton, who missed ample time earlier this season, tied the game with a wrister with assists from Michael Rasmussen and Albert Johansson. A trio of unlikely heroes, themselves.
When Edvinsson potted the goal unassisted at the 1:46 mark with a backhand, it was game, set, and match, and the Wings are just one win away from sweeping Toronto. Best yet, the win kept them ahead of the once-again surging Tampa Bay Lightning.
Patrick Kane returns and made his presence felt after missing six games
Patrick Kane skated a solid 17:51 in his first game back after he missed the previous six. He committed two giveaways but had four shots on goal and ended the game with a plus-1.
If Kane can stay healthy this time around, then this top six will be tough to deal with. And with the depth scoring coming up big again in this one, the Wings finally look like they're capable of owning a deep team as those playoff races will really start to heat up when the calendar year shifts to 2026.
We'll see if Kane, who has played in just 25 games so far, stays durable this time around as that sense of urgency increases. If he can, the Wings will be one of the toughest teams in hockey to deal with.
Other Detroit Red Wings tidbits and news
Nestor Quixtan wrote an outstanding piece on Max Bultman of The Athletic's statements regarding the Red Wings' need to beef up their blue line, focusing on one player in particular. That may very well be the case come the trade deadline if Steve Yzerman feels the Wings' depth at forward will hold.
With so many players re-signing with their current teams and the Red Wings, without a doubt, looking to get deeper in the coming seasons, Michael Coyle reminded us that there are still viable names who could be on the market this summer. He gave us an early look at who is still unsigned with their current team at midseason.
And finally, Bob Heyrman talked about three forwards the Wings could trade for at the deadline should they go in that direction. Who knows? Maybe Yzerman will get deeper at both the blue line and at forward, solidifying this group for a deep playoff run? Right now, the Wings are making us optimistic.