Mason Appleton scores in the final minute to lift the Red Wings over the Maple Leafs 3-2

By: Associated press

13 October 2025 at 21:30

TORONTO (AP) — Mason Appleton scored the winner with 44.1 seconds left in regulation and Cam Talbot made 38 saves as the Detroit Red Wings survived a blown two-goal lead in the third period to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Monday.

Dylan Larkin and James van Riemsdyk had the other goals for Detroit, which picked up back-to-back victories over last season’s Atlantic Division champion.

Matthew Knies, with a goal and an assist, and Calle Jarnkrok replied for Toronto. Anthony Stolarz stopped 12 shots.

Detroit opened the scoring late in a sloppy first period when Larkin dug the puck out of a crowd and roofed a backhand on Stolarz just as a 5-on-3 power play expired. Van Riemsdyk then made it 2-0 early in the third on a partial breakaway, but Knies and Jarnkrok got Toronto back even before Appleton’s late heroics.

Fans at Scotiabank Arena were encouraged to stick around after the final buzzer to watch Game 2 of the American League Championship Series — happening just down the street at Rogers Centre — between the Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners on the videoboard above center ice.

Easton Cowan, selected 28th overall at the 2023 draft, made his NHL debut. He is viewed as the Leafs’ top prospect.

Up next

Red Wings: Host the Florida Panthers on Wednesday.

Maple Leafs: Host the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.

Detroit Red Wings’ Mason Appleton (22) celebrates after his winning goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Red Wings return to action hoping to end playoff drought

WDET 101.9 FM

By: Pat Batcheller

8 October 2025 at 17:15

The Detroit Red Wings celebrate 100 years of hockey in the Motor City. The team started playing as the Cougars in 1926, changed their name to the Falcons in 1930, and settled on their present identity in 1932.

The Wings have won 11 Stanley Cups, more than any U.S.-based franchise. The last time they hoisted it was 2008.

It’s been 10 years since Detroit qualified for the National Hockey League playoffs, the longest postseason drought in franchise history.

They might break that streak this season.

Listen: Red Wings return to action hoping to end playoff drought

Youth is served

Detroit Free Press hockey writer Helene St. James says several young players could help the Wings fly in 2025-26.

One of those players is Axel Sandin-Pellikka, a 20-year-old defenseman from Sweden. St. James says the rookie was the team’s best player in the preseason.

“He’s such a good puck handler,” she says. “I think there’s potential there for him to have a huge impact.”

St. James says two other rookies impressed her in training camp. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård of Norway and Alberta’s Emmitt Finnie are also 20. All three made the regular season roster.

Who’ll stop the puck?

Fans should also keep an eye on the team’s new goaltender, John Gibson. The 12-year veteran signed with Detroit after playing his entire career for the Anaheim Ducks.

The 32-year-old Gibson played 29 games for the Ducks last season and will split time with returning goalie Cam Talbot.

St. James says the Wings hope Gibson will stabilize the position and maybe take over as their top netminder.

“It’s been such a carousel for them the past four, five, six seasons,” she says. “Goalies come in, goalies go out.”

McLellan’s first full season

Head coach Todd McLellan will decide who plays and when. He took over the team in the middle of last season after General Manager Steve Yzerman fired Derek Lalonde.

The Wings strung together two 7-game winning streaks under McLellan but lost 17 of their last 28 contests and missed the playoffs.

Despite that, St. James says the players believe in McLellan and showed a high level of energy in training camp.

“He had them scrimmaging right from the get-go,” she says. “They buy into what he wants them to do.”

The Red Wings open the 2025-26 campaign on Thursday, Oct. 9 vs. the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena.

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