3-2

Canadiens Lineup

Jonathan Drouin – Max Domi – Joel Armia 

Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Artturi Lehkonen – Jesperi Kotkaniemi –  Paul Byron

Kenny Agostino – Matthew Peca – Charles Hudon

Victor Mete – Shea Weber

Mike Reilly – Jeff Petry

Brett Kulak – Jordie Benn

Antti Niemi – Carey Price 

Karl Alzner, Michael Chaput, Nicolas Deslauriers

Andrew Shaw

Game Report

The Canadiens have to tap their stick to the NHL schedule maker tonight. After a frustrating effort against the Wild, the Habs dialed up the Red Wings, winners of just two in their past 10 games.

Detroit looked every part of the 27th ranked team in the league until the five minute mark in the third period when the tired Canadiens started to fade. Montreal relied on a quick strike offense with all of the scoring occurring in the first two minutes of the second and third periods.

Tomas Tatar was the catalyst with two assists against his former team. Brendan Gallagher ended an eight-game goalless drought. Jeff Petry made up for his Monday night gaffe with the winning goal. Joel Armia scored his first goal since November 1st after missing 25 games with a knee injury.

The Red Wings generated just three high danger scoring chances at even strength serving up an easy night for Antti Niemi.

The win puts the Canadiens back into a playoff position holding down the last wild card slot, a point ahead of the NY Islanders who have three games in hand. The surging Carolina Hurricanes, winners of five in a row are five points behind the Isles.

Plus / Minus

▲  Tomas Tatar, Brendan Gallagher, Joel Armia

▼  Jonathan Drouin, Max Domi, Brett Kulak, Matthew Peca, Mike Reilly