Red Wings Edge Maple Leafs but Lose Raymond to Injury
The Detroit Red Wings secured a dramatic 3–2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday afternoon at Scotiabank Arena, but the win came at a cost.
Mason Appleton netted the game-winner in the final minute of regulation, capping off a tense contest. However, his opportunity arose only after star winger Lucas Raymond exited the game midway through the second period following a heavy hit from Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev. Raymond appeared to be in significant discomfort and did not return.
The team later confirmed Raymond suffered an upper-body injury. While the severity remains unclear, fans are hoping his removal was precautionary. A serious setback would be a major blow to Detroit’s offense—Raymond tallied 80 points last season and has been a model of consistency, playing all 82 games in three of his four NHL seasons.
Despite the loss of Raymond, the Red Wings completed a sweep of their back-to-back against Toronto, improving to 2–1–0 on the season.
Appleton Rises to the Occasion
New acquisition Mason Appleton, formerly of the Winnipeg Jets, stepped into Raymond’s spot on the top line alongside captain Dylan Larkin and rookie Emmitt Finnie. Head coach Todd McLellan’s decision paid off, with Appleton delivering the decisive goal.
Looking ahead, McLellan may continue with Appleton on the top unit, though veteran James van Riemsdyk—signed this summer with top-line expectations—could also be in contention. Finnie’s emergence adds stability, but Appleton’s clutch performance may keep him in place. As the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Upcoming Challenge Without Raymond
Detroit’s next stretch includes matchups against the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Edmonton Oilers—three formidable opponents. If Raymond is sidelined, the Red Wings will need to dig deep to maintain momentum.
Their next test comes Wednesday at home against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers at Little Caesars Arena.
