Scoring and assisting on the past two OT winners for the Red Wings, stay-at-home defenseman Ben Chiarot has taken a much more active role in driving offensive production for Detroit
Scoring and assisting on the past two OT winners for the Red Wings, stay-at-home defenseman Ben Chiarot has taken a much more active role in driving offensive production for Detroit
Ben Chiarot still isn’t done flexing.
After scoring an overtime winner against Seattle on Monday, the blueliner has continuously referenced his heroics in the locker room by calling himself “OT Benny” among other names. But more important than self-established monikers, Chiarot has continued to fire on a higher level of offensive involvement, and that also helped the Red Wings beat Colorado 2-1 in overtime Thursday night. By assisting on the game-winning goal and drawing penalties down low, Chiarot is helping Detroit’s offense capitalize in a way that transcends his usual defense-first style.
“He’s been a little bit of an overtime assassin, he’s calling himself in the room,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. “But I think it’s again, we have talent back there and on our roster and guys that are good hockey players. So he’s got in (on the scoring). He’s a bit of a more steady, behind-the-scenes defenseman but he blocks shots, he plays hard, he defends his teammates. So when you see a guy like that making big plays, it gives you a huge boost.”
Chiarot gave the Red Wings a win against the Kraken by going to the net and banging home the game-winner from the slot, but his assist against the Avalanche showed even more offensive involvement. As forward Patrick Kane carried the puck into the zone, Chiarot zoomed down low and drew the defense inward. Then, receiving the puck, he wheeled around to buy time for Larkin to get on the ice before passing to his captain. By the time a Larkin speed burst drew two defenders to leave a wide-open Kane, Chiarot had caused chaos down low to draw the third man. All these are little details, but they show confidence in his offensive involvement rather than deferment.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ0dS-uxs1U[/embed]
Even in 5-on-5 play, Chiarot is also making his mark. He drew a late penalty against the Avalanche by wheeling around the net for a wraparound with speed uncharacteristic of someone perceived as a stay-at-home archetype defenseman. This move earned the Red Wings a power play to span between the end of the third period and the beginning of overtime, which also gave them control of the final minutes of the game. So while his play contribute to goals in overtime, it also contributes to control.
“OT Benny, the boys were calling him in there,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “Benny’s had a really good season up to this date. His game is really elevated. He’s been good all year. So a little confidence in overtime, it doesn’t surprise me he’s playing at a pretty high level.”
Chiarot’s hot streak might not be expected, but he has possessed the capabilities to score for most of his career. He usually chips in around 20 points a season, including nine goals in the 2019-20 and 2021-22 seasons. His overtime winner against the Kraken was also his fourth such goal in his career — he scored two in 2019-20 and one in 2021-22. But in Detroit, especially this season, Chiarot has evolved to be a bit more reserved. His pairing with Jeff Petry generates the least expected goals per 60 (1.98 xG/60) of the Red Wings’ three defense pairings.
In his usual play style, Chiarot is much more prone to playing physical, which is why he ranks third in shot blocks and second in hits among all Detroit skaters. Such a style earned him a lot of criticism when the Red Wings signed him in the 2022 offseason, with some analysts believing general manager Steve Yzerman overpaid Chiarot and that he wouldn’t contribute much in the style of the modern NHL. His latest streak isn’t silencing critics, but it’s giving them something to think about.
Rekindling his offensive chops adds another element to his game that can help the Red Wings win games, especially in playoff environments. Contributing to the offense through goals, assists and penalties drawn might be a step out of the usual contributions Chiarot brings, but that’s something he’ll gladly do to make Detroit a better team.
“The depth is the biggest thing with this team, and that’s how you win in this league,” Kane said. “Every team I’ve been a part of that has won — we had depth, and you didn't know whose turn it was gonna be that night to step up and be the hero for the team. And I think that’s kinda the position we’re in now. It seems like it could be anyone on any given night.”
It’s been Chiarot’s time to be an overtime hero as of late, even if it’s one that few probably expected.
And hey, when he’s riding a hot streak like this, why shouldn’t he brag a little?
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