Patrick Kane reached a major milestone in his career during the Detroit Red Wings’ 4-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday, surpassing 1,300 career points. Kane, who needed two points to hit the milestone, contributed with a power-play goal and an assist during a dominant four-goal first period for Detroit. This victory was significant for the Red Wings, as it helped them snap a four-game losing streak. In addition to Kane’s achievements, Alex DeBrincat scored twice, and Lucas Raymond added another goal. Detroit’s goaltender, Alex Lyon, made 26 saves to secure the win.
Todd McLellan, who replaced Derek Lalonde as head coach, earned his first win behind the bench for Detroit. McLellan’s influence seemed to energize the Red Wings, as they played with greater intensity compared to their previous games. Despite McLellan’s new role, the Capitals continued to struggle in their second game within 24 hours. Meanwhile, Washington’s star forward Alex Ovechkin scored for the second consecutive game after missing 16 games due to a fractured fibula. Ovechkin’s goal, while impressive, was not enough to carry the Capitals to victory.
In addition to Ovechkin’s goal, the Capitals received another from Nic Dowd, but they were unable to overcome Detroit’s early surge. Charlie Lindgren made 23 saves for Washington, but the Capitals’ defense was unable to contain the Red Wings’ offensive pressure. With this loss, Washington remained one point behind the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference standings, further complicating their pursuit of first place.
A key moment in the game came after Ovechkin’s goal, which briefly cut Detroit’s lead to 2-1. Just 31 seconds later, the Red Wings answered back with a goal from DeBrincat, assisted by Kane, pushing their lead to 3-1. This quick response deflated the Capitals and allowed Detroit to maintain control of the game throughout the rest of the match.
Kane’s achievement of reaching 1,300 career points solidified his place in NHL history. He became only the second U.S.-born player to reach this milestone, trailing Mike Modano’s 1,374 points. Kane also joined an exclusive group of active players, including Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin, to reach this impressive feat. As for the upcoming games, the Capitals will host the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, while the Red Wings will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins at home on the same day.
