The Detroit Red Wings are a different team since their coaching change and Todd McLellan’s men were ready for battle when the puck dropped, Martin St-Louis’ Montreal Canadiens.
Everyone must play the first frame
After 20 minutes of play, the wings lead 2-0 but also 16-4 in shots, which is simply unacceptable. Samuel Montembeault had a very busy first image, but other players? They seemed to be waiting to board a plane, they weren’t even passengers yet.
In the first, the Wings had seven shots from the slot, including four high danger chances. The two goals given were not at all on Montembeault, there are only a few things the goalkeeper can do. Maybe his new mask that looks a lot like Carey Price’s last one has the players confused. I know, he misread the play and ended up in a different time zone because he thought Lucas Raymond would pass, but still.
I mean it’s a work of art by Lucas Raymond
MTL @ Det: Debrincat scores the goal against Samuel Montembeault https://t.co/8q1qrxznnk
– Michael Devellano Pucks & Dreams 🏒 (@pucksanddreams_) January 24, 2025
The Canadians looked flat and emotionless, much like the game was much more important to the wings than to them. Detroit, trailing by five points, really needed the victory, but so did Montreal to make the playoffs.
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Not scoring on the power play is one thing, losing momentum is another
Already down by two early in the second frame, the Canadiens found a way to give away a shorthanded goal rather than make the most of a Moritz SeiderThe interference penalty.
Not scoring on the man advantage is bad enough, but finding yourself in an even bigger hole thanks to a shorty is terrible. The clothes were lucky, they managed to score a few seconds after the penalty expired, but it’s a dangerous game. Plus, there’s a huge difference between being down twos or threes.
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Worse, Detroit scored the next goal with Nick Suzuki in the penalty box to reclaim its three-goal lead shortly after Kirby Dach’s goal.
You don’t just touch the Canadiens goalie (more)
About three years ago Jeff Petry got a lot of heat for doing nothing when Momtembeault was knocked down by Zack Kassian, nowadays that wouldn’t happen. When Michael Rasmussen collided with him tonight, it didn’t take very long for Arber Xhekaj to sicken his keeper and that’s exactly how things should be.
I hope Dominque Ducharme addressed Jeff Petry for completely ignoring Zack Kassian after that head on Samuel Montembeault! pic.twitter.com/r5lm0gfe3g
– JESUISCH🏒BLEUBLANCROUGE (@Habshappy) January 30, 2022
The Canadians ended up losing the game 4-2 and it’s not a disaster, after all, they’ve only lost twice in regulation in their last ten games, but the manner in which they lost could be worrying. Lane Hutson’s point streak stops at nine games, so he won’t be able to beat Shayne Gostisbehere’s 15-game point streak as a rookie blueliner.
Montreal now returns home where they will face the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. With Jacob Markstrom injured, former Hab Jake Allen should take the start.
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