Detroit Red Wings vs. Dallas Stars: Game Recap – December 23, 2025
Final Score: Red Wings 4, Stars 3 (OT)
The Detroit Red Wings continued their impressive December run with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against the Dallas Stars at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday night, December 23, 2025. Captain Dylan Larkin delivered a clutch performance, scoring the game-tying goal late in the third period before netting the overtime winner just 34 seconds into the extra frame to secure Detroit’s third consecutive win.
Game Flow and Key Moments
The Red Wings struck first at the 9:23 mark of the opening period when James van Riemsdyk converted a pass from Michael Rasmussen to give Detroit a 1-0 lead. Van Riemsdyk’s ninth goal of the season energized the sellout crowd of 19,515 fans.
Dallas dominated the second period, outshooting Detroit 13-5 and scoring twice to take the lead. Roope Hintz tied the game on a power play with 9:13 remaining in the second period, firing home a precise pass from Mikko Rantanen. With just 44 seconds left in the period, Stars captain Jamie Benn capitalized on a feed from Matt Duchene to give Dallas a 2-1 advantage heading into the final frame.
The Red Wings showed resilience early in the third period when rookie Emmitt Finnie scored a power-play goal at the 3:02 mark to even the score at 2-2. However, the Stars reclaimed the lead with 8:42 left in regulation when Wyatt Johnston redirected Miro Heiskanen’s pass past Red Wings goaltender John Gibson for his 20th goal of the season.
With time winding down, Larkin delivered when it mattered most. On a late power play, van Riemsdyk threaded a brilliant backwards pass through traffic to find Larkin, who beat Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith to tie the game at 3-3 with just 4:03 remaining.
Overtime Heroics
In the overtime period, Larkin wasted no time securing the victory. Just 34 seconds in, the Red Wings captain carried the puck into the offensive zone, skated confidently into the slot, and fired a shot past DeSmith for his 20th goal of the season and the game-winner. The Little Caesars Arena erupted as Larkin’s teammates mobbed him in celebration.
Standout Performances
Dylan Larkin was undoubtedly the star of the night, scoring twice including the overtime winner and demonstrating why he wears the captain’s “C” for Detroit. James van Riemsdyk also had a stellar performance with a goal and an assist, while defenseman Moritz Seider contributed two assists, continuing his strong play on the blue line.
For the Stars, Roope Hintz, Jamie Benn, and Wyatt Johnston each found the back of the net. Mikko Rantanen tallied two assists, showcasing his playmaking abilities. Johnston’s goal was particularly notable as it was his league-leading 14th power-play goal of the season.
In the goaltending department, John Gibson stopped 19 shots for Detroit, while Casey DeSmith made 21 saves for Dallas.
Season Impact
The victory improved Detroit’s record to 22-13-3, solidifying their position atop the Atlantic Division with 47 points. The Red Wings have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL lately, going 9-2-2 in their last 13 games.
The Stars, despite the loss, remain in excellent position in the Central Division with a 25-7-6 record. This was only their fifth loss in 18 games (13-2-3), demonstrating their consistency throughout the season.
Post-Game Developments
Following the game, both teams participated in post-game media sessions, with the Red Wings players highlighting their resilience and team chemistry during their recent winning streak. The team posted comprehensive “Meijer Postgame Comments” featuring player and coach reactions to the thrilling victory.
The Stars will look to bounce back when they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, while the Red Wings will aim to extend their winning streak when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes on the same day.
This victory gives Detroit a 1-0 lead in the season series against Dallas, with the second and final regular season matchup scheduled for March 14, 2026.
Photos: Tim Jarrold – In Play! magazine
