Larkin’s Third-Period Goal Lifts Red Wings Past Sharks, 4–2.

DETROIT — Dylan Larkin broke a third-period tie to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 4–2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Friday night, continuing Detroit’s strong recent stretch.

Larkin’s decisive goal came just under five minutes into the final period, when he forced the puck past goaltender Yaroslav Askarov at the near post. The Red Wings have now won five of their last six games. Marco Kasper played a key role in the win, recording his first goal in 37 games and adding an assist. Alex DeBrincat scored his team-leading 25th goal of the season, while J.T. Compher also found the back of the net. Lucas Raymond contributed three assists, and James van Riemsdyk added two helpers. Goaltender John Gibson stopped 20 shots for Detroit. San Jose was led by Will Smith, who scored in his return after missing 13 games with an upper-body injury. Collin Graf added the Sharks’ second goal, and Macklin Celebrini recorded an assist, extending his impressive run to 32 points over his last 18 games. Askarov finished with 21 saves despite the loss. Detroit opened the scoring on the power play, as Raymond set up DeBrincat for a one-timer from the left circle. Smith answered later in the first period after Celebrini’s shot slipped through Gibson and rolled toward the goal line. Graf gave San Jose a brief lead early in the second period with a deflection, but Detroit responded when Kasper threaded a pass through a defender’s legs to Compher, tying the game at 2–2.

After Larkin’s go-ahead goal in the third, Kasper sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final two minutes. The Sharks will travel to Florida to face the Panthers on Monday, while the Red Wings return home to host the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.