Gibson Weathers the Sharks' Storm in Detroit
San Jose played the better hockey for most of the night in Detroit, but the Red Wings went home with a 4-3 win because John Gibson kept closing the door.
The Sharks got the better looks all game. Their chances were worth 4.34 expected goals (how many goals those chances would usually produce), while Detroit's were worth 3.12. San Jose also outshot Detroit 35-28 and fired far more pucks toward the net overall. Gibson answered with 32 saves on 35 shots, including 8 of 9 high-danger chances, the shots from right in front.
Macklin Celebrini did everything he could for San Jose: a goal, two assists and 7 shots in nearly 27 minutes. Will Smith added an assist on 5 shots.
For Detroit, Emmitt Finnie had a goal and an assist on 6 shots, playing on a line with Alex DeBrincat, who also scored. Finnie rang the iron twice, so his night could have been even bigger. Moritz Seider set up two goals in almost 30 minutes.
The posts and crossbars were hit 4 times in all, with Dmitry Orlov and Smith each finding iron once for San Jose. The Sharks went 2 for 6 on the power play, but Gibson made sure the bounces ended up going Detroit's way.
