"When the Chips Are Down, We Just Find a Way": Lyon, Larkin, Lalonde React to OT Win in Florida
The Detroit Red Wings react to a 3-2 overtime win over the Florida Panthers
Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports - "When the Chips Are Down, We Just Find a Way": Lyon, Larkin, Lalonde React to OT Win in FloridaLast night in Sunrise, the Detroit Red Wings snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Florida Panthers with a 3-2 overtime victory. Captain Dylan Larkin scored the OT winner, while Alex Lyon—returning to South Florida for the first time since playing an integral role in the Panthers' improbable Cup run last spring—made 32 saves to power Detroit to victory.
With the win, the Red Wings—now 23-16-5—leapt into the third slot in the Atlantic Division.
Here's what Lyon, Larkin, and Derek Lalonde had to say after the victory:
Alex Lyon
On takeaways from his performance: "Obviously, it always feels good to beat the team that you played for last year, but [I have] a lot of respect for those guys. They have a fantastic team over there. They played really well tonight, and just super happy for the boys and proud of the way we battled back."
On coming back after the Panthers re-took the lead 16 seconds after Detroit tied the game in the second period: "Those are the critical moments of the game when you really have to be resilient. It's been the story of our little run here: When the chips are down, we just find a way. Some nights it's not going to be perfect, but as long as we keep that effort, that battle, and that resilience, good things are going to happen."
On mood on bench before OT started: "Always happy to be on the power play in overtime, but, just one of those things you can't really take for granted. They had a huge block there, and that's what they were gonna do. They were gonna sacrifice and play hard, so it's no guarantee in this league. Just happy to come away with the win."
On sense of confidence building: "For sure, it feels good, but it doesn't come for free. If you take it for granted and you start to think that it's just momentum that's gonna build on itself, that's when it's gonna start to go back the other way. We just have to continue to stay on the details. We've gotta move forward. We've got another huge game in a very tough building in two days."
On finding ways to win games despite trailing for long stretches: "I think we're just understanding and finding that if you just play hard for 60 minutes, good things are going to happen. You can't really worry about a break here or there or a goal here or there."
Dylan Larkin
On confidence level in locker room: "It's pretty high, and I think the way we've come together kinda started [on the] west coast trip. We got healthy after Christmas. West coast trip, we got hot, and we got on a role, got our identity going. It's been great. You're a confident team when your goaltender is playing like that. Huge win."
On coming back despite trailing in the third: "[Michael Rasmussen] was a force tonight. And [Andrew Copp] was all over it. [Christian Fischer] complemented them really well. Those guys got us going. They got us back to 1-1, and then they got a second one. It's what we need. We need a different hero every night. That's been the story."
On what's stood out most during this stretch: "Our goaltenders have been the backbone there. We're still working on it, and tonight, they're a heavy team down low...They cycle the puck really well, and they force the slot and get you scrambling. Their D are very active, so it was a tough test, and keeping it to two tonight is a huge confidence boost."
On looking at the standings: "You look at it. We talk about it, but you still gotta play. There's a lot of hockey left. You need some luck with your team. We look at it, and I believe we're right where we deserve to be."
Derek Lalonde
On reaction to the win: "Obviously very happy. I just think there's a lot of consistency, and we're getting rewarded with some results. Very similar to the last time out. Battled for 40 minutes. Down 2-1 going into the third, and we have a chance. I give the guys credit. It's very hard to win in this league...It's very hard to beat top echelon teams, especially trailing going into the third. I think that's really good on our guys."
On buttoning down defensively: "It's practice. I know it sounds very simple, but it's just part of our schedule. And the opportunity to practice and detail off that part of our game. Good on the guys for translating it. In this current streak, it's been three or less throughout, but you can just see we're not giving up the odd-mans. We're not giving up easy offense. These are really hard teams to defend against."
On Rasmussen's goal and assist: "Both goals [in regulation] were from the Copp-Ras-Fisch line. They're playing at a high level, but it's just simple. They're playing north. They're working off the forecheck. They're spending time with the puck in the O zone. They're winning the field position battle. The ice is tilted when they're out there. Obviously, they get the first goal, but the second goal, not only do they get the zone time, Fisch makes a proper change with possession in the O zone, and the guy that changes for him makes an unbelievable play on the finish. Huge for us."
On Lyon: "Excellent. Just instills confidence in the group. We go into these games now expecting to win, knowing we have a chance to win with the level he's at right now."
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