James van Riemsdyk scored for a fourth straight game, Dylan Larkin also had a goal and defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka had two assists for his first NHL multipoint game for the Red Wings (16-11-3), who have points in five straight games (3-0-2).
Detroit won consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 16 and 18. It was also the first time since playing three in a row through Nov. 15 that Gibson has started consecutive games.
“He's been good, but today was another level,” Sandin-Pellikka said of Gibson. “Some, what do you call them, TV saves? Ones we're going to see on the highlights after the game, so yeah, he was incredible. … Felt like no one could score on him. Incredible. Not much else to say.”
Kevin Lankinen allowed three goals on 13 shots before being pulled after the second period for the Canucks (11-16-3), who have lost eight of 10 (2-7-1). Nikita Tolopilo stopped all six shots he faced in relief.
“We're generating lots of chances, but it's taken 10, 15 looks possibly to score,” Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes said. “They have breakdowns too, but ours were definitely significant. Our goalies have been really good all year, kept us in a lot of games, just something we have to continue to work on.”
Gibson made three tough saves early while Detroit was being outshot 10-2 before van Riemsdyk put the Red Wings ahead 1-0 at 14:14 of the first period off a one-handed pass from J.T. Compher from behind the net. Van Riemsdyk’s chip shot in tight at the right post was stopped by Lankinen, but he beat him to the other post and tucked the rebound in past his left pad.
Van Riemsdyk has six goals in his past seven games following a 16-game scoring drought.
“A lot of poise with the puck,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said of van Riemsdyk. “Coaches and managers, even players, talk about individuals where the puck follows them around the rink, and that's JVR. He just knows where to go, and the puck seems to find him as much as he finds it and then he's got a real sense of calm around the net with his hands and can outwait a lot of goaltenders.”
Gibson made another quality save on a Canucks power play at 3:09 of the second period, sticking out the left pad to rob Jake DeBrusk on a rebound at the side of the net less than 30 seconds after DeBrusk hit the crossbar on a rush down the left wing.
“I just tried to get a quick up and it's a great save by him,” DeBrusk said. “I’ve got to finish that. I couldn't believe it. There are a couple other ones where it just isn't going my way.”
Andrew Copp extended it to 2-0 at 15:15 of the second period, finishing off a passing play with Alex DeBrincat and Sandin-Pellikka on a backdoor tap-in.
“Just trying to join the rush, good of ‘Cat’ to see me going down the dot lane and Copp would probably kill me if I didn't pass it to him,” Sandin-Pellikka joked. “He was wide open, so it wasn't much thought behind that.”
