### Detroit Red Wings Surge with Larkin's Heroics in 4-2 Victory Over Sharks The Detroit Red Wings showcased their growing momentum in the NHL with a decisive 4-2 victory against the San Jose Sharks on January 16, 2026. Dylan Larkin emerged as the star of the night, scoring the pivotal go-ahead goal early in the third period. This win marked the Red Wings' fifth victory in their last six games, highlighting their resurgence in the league. Marco Kasper also made headlines by scoring his first goal in 37 games, while Alex DeBrincat added to his impressive tally with his 25th goal of the season. The Sharks, despite the loss, saw Will Smith return to the ice after a 13-game absence due to injury, contributing to their scoring efforts. ### Breakdown of the Game's Key Elements 1. **Game Overview** - The Red Wings defeated the Sharks 4-2, with Larkin's goal being the turning point in the third period [https://apnews.com/article/red-wings-sharks-score-larkin-aa080b2080d38a6a1e6e5364c21b6ad7]. - This victory continues the Red Wings' strong performance, winning five out of their last six games [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/larkin-scores-go-ahead-goal-as-red-wings-beat-21300112.php]. 2. **Player Highlights** - **Dylan Larkin**: Scored the go-ahead goal and was instrumental in the team's success [https://www.nhl.com/news/san-jose-sharks-detroit-red-wings-game-recap-january-16-2026]. - **Marco Kasper**: Ended a long scoring drought with his first goal in 37 games and contributed an assist [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/dylan_larkin_provides_heroics_as_red_wings_down_sharks/s1_17050_43343076]. - **Alex DeBrincat**: Scored his team-high 25th goal of the season, showcasing his offensive prowess [https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/red-wings-win-over-sharks-4-2]. 3. **Goalkeeping Performance** - **John Gibson**: Achieved his fifth consecutive win, making 20 saves during the game [https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2026/01/dylan-larkin-snaps-tie-in-third-and-red-wings-top-sharks.html]. - **Yaroslav Askarov**: Stopped 21 shots for the Sharks, despite the team's defeat [https://www.nhl.com/news/san-jose-sharks-detroit-red-wings-game-recap-january-16-2026]. 4. **Sharks' Contributions** - **Will Smith**: Scored for the Sharks after returning from injury, indicating his importance to the team's lineup [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/larkin-scores-go-ahead-goal-as-red-wings-beat-21300112.php]. - **Collin Graf**: Added another goal for the Sharks, while Macklin Celebrini continued his impressive form with an assist, marking 32 points in his last 18 games [https://apnews.com/article/red-wings-sharks-score-larkin-aa080b2080d38a6a1e6e5364c21b6ad7]. ### Summary of Findings **The Detroit Red Wings' victory over the San Jose Sharks was marked by key performances and strategic plays:** 1. **Dylan Larkin's pivotal goal** early in the third period was crucial for the Red Wings' win, demonstrating his leadership and skill [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/larkin-scores-go-ahead-goal-as-red-wings-beat-21300112.php]. 2. **Marco Kasper's return to scoring** after a long drought added depth to the Red Wings' offense, while DeBrincat's consistent scoring continues to be a significant asset [https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/red-wings-win-over-sharks-4-2]. 3. **John Gibson's strong performance** in goal solidified the Red Wings' defensive efforts, contributing to their recent success [https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2026/01/dylan-larkin-snaps-tie-in-third-and-red-wings-top-sharks.html]. 4. **The Sharks, despite the loss**, showed resilience with key players returning and contributing, indicating potential for future games [https://www.nhl.com/news/san-jose-sharks-detroit-red-wings-game-recap-january-16-2026]. This game not only highlights the Red Wings' current form but also sets the stage for an exciting remainder of the season as both teams look to build on their performances.