RECAP: Red Wings’ 4-2 victory over Kraken keyed by trio of rookies, who ‘took over’

DETROIT -- Rookies Nate Danielson, Emmitt Finnie and Axel Sandin-Pellikka all played key roles on Tuesday night, as the three members of the Detroit Red Wings’ 2023 NHL Entry Draft class combined for four second-period points in a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken at Little Caesars Arena.

“We’ve built a really good friendship off the ice,” said Danielson, who recorded his first career NHL multi-point game with his first career goal and assist. “It’s fun to be able to do it with [Finnie and Sandin-Pellikka] and share these moments with them.”

Cam Talbot started his second game in a row and made 20 saves for the Red Wings (12-7-1; 25 points), who stretched their point streak to four straight and currently sit atop the Atlantic Division. Netminder Joey Daccord stopped 24 shots for the Kraken (9-5-5; 23 points), who saw their three-game point streak come to an end.

“The three of them, four because we’ve got to include [Michael Brandsegg-Nygård] because he was here for some of it, have done a really good job,” head coach Todd McLellan said about Detroit’s first-year skaters. “We’re constantly encouraging them to expand their game a little bit, but we’re also pushing them…On nights like tonight, there’ll be other nights, they have those young legs, and they’ll have to provide that energy.”

A hit from Tye Kartye on Mason Appleton, who went shoulder-first into the boards in front of Seattle’s bench, prompted a response from Simon Edvinsson late in the first period. Although Edvinsson was sticking up for his teammate, the 22-year-old defenseman was penalized for roughing and Jordan Eberle gave the Kraken a 1-0 lead on the ensuing power play with a tap-in goal at 19:02.

“In the first, to be honest, I thought we were a little slow,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. “I thought our line played well in the first to kind of hold things together. And then in the second, those kids took over and they started to push it.”

Inside the first three minutes of the second period, Detroit quickly took a 2-1 lead behind goals from Lucas Raymond and Danielson.

After getting a cross-ice pass from Alex DeBrincat, Raymond skated into the offensive zone and evened the score when his snap shot from the right face-off circle squeaked through Daccord at 1:19. Raymond’s sixth goal of the campaign, and second in as many games, included a secondary assist from Moritz Seider.

Just 45 seconds later, Axel Sandin-Pellikka’s point shot went off Appleton, bounced off Danielson’s shin pad and into the back of the net.

“It was exciting,” Danielson said. “It was nice to get that off my back and bury one.”

Danielson nearly had his second of the period at 5:01, powering to the net and using a slick move to get the puck past Daccord, but Seattle challenged the play and it was overturned when video review determined Finnie was just offside on the entry.

“The puck got flipped in the air,” Danielson said about his almost-goal. “I had some speed, and I don’t think the defenseman really saw it. It kind of bounced, I poked it through his legs, then took it to the net and tried to take it across the crease.”

Ryker Evans tied it back up for Seattle, snapping a shot in on Talbot’s blocker side to make it 2-2 at 7:26 of the second period.

Giving Detroit its second lead of the night, Finnie received Danielson’s nice goal-line pass and ripped it home from the edge of the left face-off circle to make it 3-2 at 10:56 of the middle frame. Andrew Copp added an assist on Finnie’s fifth goal of the season, which was also the 20-year-old forward’s first on the man advantage and first game-winner in a Red Wings sweater.

“We actually played against each other a lot growing up,” Danielson said about Finnie, who is tied for fifth among all NHL rookies in goals this season. “We’re both from Alberta, so I played against him a lot growing up and a couple times in the Western League. It’s cool to be able to go against him then and now be teammates in the NHL.”

With 30 seconds left in the contest, Larkin scored into an empty net for his team-leading 12th goal of the season and 600th career NHL point to stretch Detroit’s lead to 4-2. The assists went to Raymond and DeBrincat.

“It’s not the prettiest goal for a milestone, but I credit a lot to my teammates, coaches and all the training staff here,” said Larkin, who became the 11th player in franchise history to reach the 600-point mark. “It means a lot to me that I’m able to put this jersey on, play in this building and be the captain. It’s special every day, but when you hit certain milestones on a win, and a win where we move into first place, it’s important.”

NEXT UP: The Red Wings will host the New York Islanders at Little Caesars Arena for the first time this season on Thursday night.

WHAT WAS SAID

McLellan on Tuesday’s game

“It was a tough game to play. It just didn’t feel like there was any rhythm at all for the players, so they had to really stay focused and on task. It was the type of game whoever was going to score next was probably going to win, because there wasn’t a lot of offense at all.”

Danielson on McLellan’s comments regarding his Opening-Night roster chances pre-injury

“It definitely gave me confidence. Obviously, you never want to get injured but I feel like it gave me that little extra motivation to get back healthier, knowing that I had a good chance to be here and play here. Obviously, that’s the goal.”

Danielson on his comfortability level in the NHL

“I feel like you kind of get used to the pace. It’s kind of similar to last year, jumping to pro hockey was a little bit of a difference. Obviously, with this level, a couple games under my belt and I’m feeling more comfortable and confident.”

Larkin on Danielson’s impact since arriving

“It felt like he just needed to get one. Look at what a little bounce can do and a little confidence. He made a heck of a play to Finn as well. He’s rock solid, steady defensively. He was just itching to break through. It’s important to get the first one out of the way in any season, but also in your career. Credit to him for sticking with it and going to the net.”