DETROIT — In a celebratory milestone for Dylan Larkin, he registered a power-play goal and an assist in his 700th NHL game, helping the Detroit Red Wings overcome a three-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night. The victory marks a bounce-back for the Red Wings, showcasing their offensive skills after struggling recently.
Andrew Copp contributed to the score by netting Detroit’s second short-handed goal of the season, while Alex DeBrincat and Jonatan Berggren also found the back of the net for the team. Goaltender Cam Talbot played a crucial role, stopping 27 shots to secure the win.
For the Canadiens, Kirby Dach made his mark with a goal and an assist, and Kaiden Guhle added another goal. Brendan Gallagher, celebrating his 800th NHL game, assisted on Dach’s score, marking a notable contribution. Christian Dvorak and Patrik Laine also provided assists, celebrating their 500th career games as well. Sam Montembeault faced a barrage of shots, making 41 saves throughout the match.
In terms of noteworthy developments, the Canadiens saw defenseman Lane Hutson’s impressive streaks come to an end, as his nine-game point streak was halted. Hutson’s assist streak previously tied the NHL record for the longest by a rookie defenseman, a record set by Shayne Gostisbehere during his time with the Philadelphia Flyers.
For the Red Wings, the team showed offensive resurgence with a vigorous start, outshooting the Canadiens 17-4 in the first period, which ultimately allowed them to seize a 2-0 advantage. The team’s ability to dominate early paid dividends as they pushed through their offensive struggles from prior games.
A pivotal moment occurred shortly after Dach’s goal, which narrowed Detroit’s second-period lead to 3-1. Larkin quickly responded by backhanding his own rebound into the net near the goalpost, marking his 12th power-play goal this season and showcasing his pivotal role in the team’s offensive efforts.
On a statistical note, Detroit’s power-play unit has been noteworthy, currently ranked third in the league, with a total of 19 goals over 14 games since Todd McLellan took over as head coach.
Looking ahead, the Canadiens are set to begin a three-game homestand starting with a matchup against New Jersey on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Red Wings will host the Tampa Bay Lightning on the same day, seeking to build on their recent success.
