Red Wings’ Ville Husso secures first victory in more than a calendar year with win over Maple Leafs

Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Finally, the sweet taste of victory for Ville Husso.

In turning aside 24 shots en route to a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, it marked the first time in more than a calendar year that Detroit Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso has found the win column.

Joining the Red Wings in the 2022 offseason, the 29-year-old Finnish-born netminder battled injury challenges most of last season, with a lower-body ailment keeping him out of the lineup for 46 contests, ultimately limiting him to 19 appearances in which he went 9-5-2 with an .892 save percentage and 3.55 goals-against average.

Of Husso’s nine victories a year ago, his most recent came on Dec. 12, 2023, when he stopped 33 shots to guide the Red Wings to a 6-4 road victory over the St. Louis Blues.

Fast forward to the current campaign and Husso entered Saturday’s contest sporting an 0-4-2 record alongside an .870 save percentage and 3.74 goals-against average coming in seven appearances.

Placed on waivers in early October, Husso was later assigned to the AHL’s Grand Rapid Griffins. Through five appearances with the minor-league club, Husso went 4-0-0 with a .944 save percentage and 1.58 goals-against average. He was recalled to Detroit in late November.

Originally chosen in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Draft by the Blues, Husso spent two seasons in St. Louis prior to shifting to Detroit. Husso subsequently signed a three-year contract with Detroit that carries a $4.75-million annual average value, per PuckPedia. Husso can become an unrestricted free agent in July.

Husso is one of four goaltenders to suit up for the Red Wings this season alongside Cam Talbot, Alex Lyon, and 2021 first-round draft choice Sebastian Cossa. With Saturday’s victory over the Maple Leafs, the Red Wings improved to 12-14-4 to move within four points of the second wildcard in the Eastern Conference.