Red Wings playoff chances still alive with 5-4 win over Canadiens
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 15: Lucas Raymond #23 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his third period goal with teammates while playing the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena on April 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won 5-4 in overtime.
DETROIT (AP) - Lucas Raymond scored 4:35 into overtime after a game-tying goal with 1:17 left in regulation, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 comeback win over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night that keeps their playoff hopes alive.
Detroit drew iron on two shots in overtime before Raymond’s shot from the right circle got past Sam Montembeault.
Brendan Gallagher scored two goals and Montembeault stopped 30 shots for the Canadiens, who scored two early goals and were ahead 4-1 late in the second period.
J.T. Compher pulled the Red Wings within a goal midway through the first period and scored again to cut their deficit to two late in the second. Alex DeBrincat made it 4-3 midway through the third.
Detroit made up for Alex Lyon giving up two goals on the first three shots he faced, allowing two more goals in the second period and finishing with 17 saves against a team far removed from playoff contention.
The Red Wings earned a spot in 25 straight postseasons, the third-longest run in NHL history, and the streak stopped in 2016 when they played at Joe Louis Arena.
Fans, desperate to cheer for a playoff team again, filled Little Caesars Arena for the final regular-season game at home.
Gallagher’s first goal was set up by Lane Hutson, a 20-year-old defenseman from Holland, Michigan, in his NHL debut. Justin Barron followed with a goal less than two minutes later.
Rafael Harvey-Pinard restored Montreal’s two-goal lead early in the second period and Gallagher’s second goal made it 4-1 late in the period.
The Canadiens have missed the playoffs three straight times since losing in the 2021 Stanley Cup final and are aiming to avoid a third consecutive last-place finish in the Metropolitan Division.
UP NEXT
The Red Wings and Canadiens close the regular season on Tuesday night in Montreal.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 15: Lucas Raymond #23 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his game winning overtime goal with teammates to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 at Little Caesars Arena on April 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory S