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Red Wings vs Canadiens: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

Detroit needs win and help to be in playoffs

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5 months ago

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The Red Wings must win their final regular season game at Montreal and get some help from other teams in order to make the playoffs.

Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde is describing Tuesday’s regular-season finale at Montreal against the Canadiens as nothing more than a business trip.

“I know they’re excited but this is a business trip from this moment on,” Lalonde was saying shortly after Detroit was rallying for a 5-4 overtime win over the Canadiens on Monday. “I know the emotions are high.

“We got to channel it. It wasn’t a lot of rah, rah, it was turn the page.”

With Washington and Pittsburgh both winning on Monday, the standings remain unchanged in the battle for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Washington and Detroit are are 89 points, Pittsburgh is at 88 and Philadelphia, idle on Monday, is at 87 points. The Capitals are holding the tiebreaker with more regulation wins than the Red Wings. Washington plays Tuesday at Philadelphia.

Red Wings Still Need Help

“We didn’t get the help we hoped for around the league,” Lalonde said.  “Here we are, going into the season, no one had us in the playoffs. Most had us seventh in the division.

“If you would have told us you have one game, Game 82 on the road, to improve 11 points on your previous season, to have a chance to make the playoffs, every single one of us would have signed up for it.

“It’s here for now. It’s going to be a challenge for us. They’re a really good team. Very aggressive offensively. They take a lot of pride on their home ice. It’s their fan appreciation night. We need to turn the page and give ourselves an opportunity.”

Game Time

Monday: Detroit at Montreal

Where: Bell Centre

TV/RADIO: Bally Sports Detroit/97.1 FM

Time: 7 p.m.

Canadiens Preview

Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson collected an assist in his NHL debut Monday . . . Including regular-season and playoff meetings, this will be the 670th game between Montreal and Detroit . . . The Canadiens are 5-13-8 in games facing Atlantic Division opposition . . . Monday’s 5-4 OT loss to Detroit was just the fourth time all season that Montreal failed to win when leading after two periods (25-0-4) . . . With two goals Monday, Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher surpassed Shayne Corson (431 points), moving in 31at on Montreal’s all-time points list . . . Forward Cole Caufield has seven goals in his last eight games.

Red Wings Preview

Lalonde is going with James Reimer in net. Reimer is 7-2 in his last nine decisions. That includes a 5-4 overtime win against Toronto Saturday . . . Forward Andrew Copp (broken cheekbone) played Monday wearing a full facemask . . . Michael Rasmussen (upper body injury) remains out. Rasmussen has been sidelined since April 1 . . . The Red Wings have given up 14 goals and scored 15 goals in their past three games . . . Lucas Raymond has scored six goals in his past five games, reaching the 30-goal plateau for the first time in his career . . . Alex DeBrincat has three goals and four assists over his past three games.

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