David Perron got a text Sunday morning from Detroit Red Wings director of media relations Todd Beam with some news he would’ve preferred not to hear.
“This guy Beamer texted me in the afternoon that I was two away from 300 (NHL goals),” Perron was explaining as he was gesturing toward Beam. “I don’t usually like hearing about it but he will text me about all the milestones usually.
Perron wound up getting both goals in a 4-1 victory on Sunday over the Minnesota Wild. Both were arriving in similar fashion – one timers on the power play from the left faceoff circle.
“It’s one that I’m glad it’s over now and we can move forward and keep adding hopefully,” Perron said.
Detroit coach Derek Lalonde is glad that during the summer of 2022, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman was opting to sign veteran Stanley Cup winner Perron as a UFA.
“He drives us in that he has such a passion to win,” Lalonde said of Perron. “I don’t know if I’ve dealt with a more competitive player.
“It’s something where we are as an organization and how we’re trying to take some steps, he was someone we really, really needed. And he’s still pushing himself in the group. A huge positive.”
Red Wings Gostisbehere Goes For Four
With an empty-net goal and three assists, Detroit defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere was figuring in all four goals during Detroit’s win. In doing so, he was equaling his career highs for both assists and points. He’s gathered 1-5-6 totals through the past two games and now has 18 points in 19 games this season.
Gostisbehere is the first Red Wings defenseman to post a four-point game since Moritz Seider did it Jan. 10 against the Winnipeg Jets.
“His overall five on five game, I’ve been so impressed with him,” Lalonde said of Gostisbehere. “When you finally get a player day in and day out you really appreciate what he brings.”
Ice Chips
Alex Lyon stopped 37-of-38 shots to earn his second consecutive victory. Lyon is 2-1-0 with a 1.35 goals-against average, a .952 save percentage and one shutout in three starts to begin his Red Wings tenure . . . Detroit is 9-1-0 when leading after two periods, and 6-1-0 when doing so on home ice.
Perron’s 300th goal came on the 24th anniversary of Yzerman becoming the 11th player in NHL history to reach 600 goals. Sunday was also the anniversary of the birth of the NHL in 1917. Reg Noble, the last original NHLer to be an active player in the league, served as Detroit captain from 1927-30.
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