Since being reunited on the top line, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond have combined for five of the Red Wings' eight even-strength goals the past two games at a key juncture in the season

It makes you wonder why the Red Wings ever split them up.

In the past two games since being reunited on the top line, Detroit forwards Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond have combined for four out of their team’s eight five-on-five goals the past two games — five if you count one goal that came during a line change against Pittsburgh. They’ve ignited at a crucial time as Detroit faces must-win games to end the season. If these games end up as wins, it’s hard to imagine this line won’t lead the effort.

“You top guys with any team, you need them to produce and that group has the last two games,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “(We’ve) obviously scored a lot of goals and it’s come from that group. So of course you can give yourselves a chance, especially this time of year (with) some of your top guys.”

At another time — the start of the season — this line played often together as Detroit's top line, but since then they've played here and there together as Lalonde split them up. In 45 games together, this line has generated 12.8 expected goals for as tracked by Moneypuck, the most of any Red Wings combination.

“It starts with Larks and Razor — I think they've been two of our most consistent leaders offensively throughout the whole year,’ forward David Perron said. “They pour their emotion, they pour their hearts out in every game and it’s been awesome to see Larks play, keep growing as a leader and all that stuff. He’s been incredible. And then the same with Razor, I think throughout some of the little things that he’s battled through all year, he’s been really consistent and it’s really impressive.”

Considering their talent individually, though, Lalonde and his staff spread out the offense by splitting them up. One talented line is great, but having two or three contributing lines creates a much harder matchup for opponents. So, DeBrincat played opposite long-time linemate Patrick Kane while Larkin and Raymond reuntied an oft-utilized line with David Perron.

For a while, this broken up top line worked. When the Red Wings went on a six-game win streak in February, it was largely due to the deluge of goals that a balanced offensive attack provided. But then, the scoring dried up. When Larkin went out with an injury in March, scoring became a lot harder for the Red Wings, as did managing defensive responsibilities. Meanwhile, Raymond and DeBrincat stayed separated.

Even when Larkin came back from his injury, the split up lines didn't thrive. DeBrincat especially struggled opposite Kane, scoring one goal in 20 games before Thursday's game against the Penguins. And while Raymond played with a redoubled intensity when Larkin was injured, even he trailed off a little in a four-game scoreless streak to end March.

Eventually, though, Lalonde put them back together. With Andrew Copp injured in a 2-1 loss to the Capitals, and with a lack of finishing leading only to a last-second Kane goal, Lalonde reunited his early season top line looking for offense.

The group instantly clicked against Pittsburgh as Raymond scored a hat trick, but it also maintained that success against Toronto. DeBrincat snapped his cold goal-scoring streak with a two-goal outing against the Maple Leafs.

“It’s been a bit of a struggle for me recently,” forward Alex DeBrincat said of finally breaking his scoring cold streak. “But (I’m) hoping I can continue that and contribute more and more as we go. So hopefully we play past these last few games and continue after that.”

It’s vital for Detroit to get this production from its top line, especially when it needs scoring in must-win games. It can’t afford to not score, but it really can’t afford for its top line — with all its proverbial eggs in one basket — to go scoreless either. Aas much reward as the top line has brought, there's also a hefty amount of risk.

There are caveats to such an offensively effective line — especially on the defensive end. The DeBrincat-Larkin-Raymond combination has given up 12.1 expected goals against, good for 2.62 xG against per 60 according to Moneypuck. That’s the worst rate of any combination that has played more than 30 games together.

Even the past two games, the line has broken even in goals scored for and against as a line. But, having one line break even is better than having two lines potentially go negative without scoring a whole lot. Every lineup decision has a tradeoff, and the DeBrincat-Larkin-Raymond line has its warts.

Ultimately, DeBrincat, Larkin and Raymond have to maintain their momentum in this week’s season-ending home-and-home with Montreal. The past two games are an indicator of the level of play they can bring in chasing a playoff spot, as well as what they might do if the Red Wings make it to the postseason.

Also from THN Detroit

"That's All You Want. You Want Meaning": Red Wings Poised for Two-Game Playoff Push

‘We Don’t Want our Season to End Yet’: A Canadiens-Red Wings Game Day Notebook

Injury Update: Copp to Take Warm-Up, Game Time Decision vs. Montreal

Edvinsson Thriving at Both Ends of the Rink Amidst Red Wings Playoff Push

More Top Line Excellence and Edvinsson's Big Night: A Red Wings-Maple Leafs Statistical Review

Dylan Larkin OT Winner Leads Red Wings to Must-Have Victory over Maple Leafs

Red Wings' Ville Husso Injured in Warmups During Grand Rapids Conditioning Stint

Controlling Momentum, Managing Chaos: How the Red Wings Approach Response Shifts