Marco Kasper played a crucial role within the Detroit Red Wings’ 4-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on Friday at Little Caesars Arena. He ended a 37-game goal drought and helped arrange the tying goal that led to a comeback victory. The win improved Detroit to 29-16-4, and the team has now won five of its last six games.
With the win, the Red Wings strengthened their push for a playoff spot after falling short in recent seasons.
Detroit struck first when Alex DeBrincat, who’s on a fantastic scoring run this season, scored a power-play goal at 6:18 of the primary period. It was his twenty fifth goal of the season, with an assist from Lucas Raymond. San Jose answered later within the period when Will Smith scored off a loose puck after a shot from Macklin Celebrini. The Sharks took a 2-1 lead when Collin Graf scored.
Kasper helped turn the sport around midway through the second period. He picked off a pass within the neutral zone, drove past a defender, and made an ideal go through a defender’s legs to J.T. Compher, who tied the sport 2-2.
The @DetroitRedWings are cooking with these passes tonight 🧑🍳
Take a look at this one from Marco Kasper to J.T. Compher! pic.twitter.com/IRTGk6pl1W
— NHL (@NHL) January 17, 2026
Head coach Todd McLellan praised Kasper’s growth, noting his physical play, effort, and skating.
“This was very vital for Marco,” McLellan said. “I do know his game has been coming, perhaps not on the rating sheet, but his physicality, his tenacity, his skating — he looks like a unique player right away.”
Dylan Larkin scored the go-ahead goal within the third period, which was confirmed after a video review. Kasper sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 18:28. It was his first goal since late October, making it a notable achievement.
“It’s at all times fun to attain one, especially after a protracted time,” Kasper said. “It was an empty-net goal, but they count the identical, so I’ll take it.”
Goalie John Gibson made 20 saves and earned his fifth straight win. Meanwhile, Yaroslav Askarov made 21 saves for the Sharks, who had won seven of their previous nine games.
The 21-year old entered the sport with six points in 47 games this season after posting 37 points in 77 games as a rookie last 12 months.
His two-point night gave Detroit confidence heading into its next game against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday and showed the team’s ability to reply against a solid Sharks lineup.