Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin (71) celebrates with forward Lucas Raymond (23) and teammates after scoring the winning goal in overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Red Wings emerging as early Stanley Cup contender with regular-season sweep of Maple Leafs

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 22, 2026 12:00 AM ET

Watch out for the Detroit Red Wings.

They're soaring to the top of the Eastern Conference after beating the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wednesday night.

With 1:55 remaining in overtime, defenseman Moritz Seider stole the puck from right winger Easton Cowan at the Maple Leafs' blue line. He then passed it to center Dylan Larkin, who netted a goal and secured a 2-1 win for Detroit. The score was 11th-year veteran Larkin's 12th career overtime goal, tying Hall of Famer Sergei Fedorov for the most in franchise history.

The victory completes Detroit's four-game, regular-season sweep of Toronto (24-17-9, 57 points). Per Ansar Khan of MLive.com, it's the first time the Red Wings have won a regular-season series of four games or more against the Maple Leafs since the 1995-96 season (5-0 that season). That makes the surging team even more dangerous.

FYI: Dylan Larkin scored his 12th career overtime goal, tying Sergei Fedorov for the most in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/rvHsFF0bQj
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 22, 2026

Victory over Maple Leafs shows Red Wings could make noise in the Eastern Conference

The Red Wings (31-16-4, 66 points) are now tied for first in the Atlantic Division with the Tampa Bay Lightning (31-13-4, 66 points). Tampa Bay has posted a 9-0-1 record over its past 10 games. Detroit, however, is hot as well, going 7-2-1 during this stretch.

Just as important for Detroit is its knack for winning close games. After Wednesday's contest, the Red Wings are 8-2 in overtime games.

"We've been in a lot of different situations this year, and we've found ways to get wins," Red Wings right winger Alex DeBrincat said after scoring an overtime goal in a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday (h/t Field Level Media). "We're a confident group. We know what we can do, and we know we are a good team and can beat anyone in the league."

The Red Wings will continue their three-game road trip against the Minnesota Wild (28-14-9, 65 points) on Thursday night (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Minnesota is third in the Western Conference behind the Dallas Stars (28-13-9, 65 points) and the Colorado Avalanche (34-5-8, 76 points).

Beating another Stanley Cup contender would further prove the surging Red Wings belong in the same company.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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