The Detroit Red Wings believed until the end, but their fate was out of their hands despite a 5-4 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre.
Still, the Habs played their role as spoilsports by making the task more difficult for the Wings, who were already eliminated by the Washington Capitals’ victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The local fans still had a few moments of celebration, especially thanks to the young guys.
Following Lane Hutson the day before, another young defenseman picked up a point in his very first career game in the National League. Logan Mailloux impressed with his offensive and physical commitment in this final meeting of the regular season.
CH certainly shook up the Wings when he scored the first goal midway through the first period. Mailloux started a breakaway by finding Brendan Gallagher and he made a well-timed pass to Alex Newhook, who scored his 15th goal this season, a personal best.
Hutson continued to trouble opposing defenders and helped Juraj Slafkovsky reach the 20-goal, 50-point plateau. The Slovakian forward deflected a shot from the small defender’s blue line to make it 4-3 in the third period.
Cole Caufield also scored his 28th goal after a great performance by his teammates in the first trio. Veteran Gallagher was the other scorer.
David Perron forced overtime with just 3.3 seconds left in regulation, a goal that stirred emotions and gave Michigan a dose of hope.
Michael Pezzetta did not return to the game after taking a hit from Joe Veleno early in the first period.
SUMMARY
Blocking shots
(DET) Patrick Kane: GOAL
(MTL) Nick Suzuki: STOP
(DET) Lucas Raymond: STOP
(MTL) Lane Hutson: STOP
(DET) Dylan Larkin: STOP
(MTL) Cole Caufield: STOP
RENEWAL
5:00 – End of extension
1:52 – Patrick Kane (DET) knocks out Alex Newhook (MTL)’s skates and the CH will play with a power play.
0:00 – Start of expansion
THIRD PERIOD
20:00 – End of period
19:57 – GOAL SECTION 4-4: David Perron scores with 3.3 seconds left to play, keeping his hopes of making the playoffs alive.
Perron keeps the Wings alive! –
18:12 – Last chance to make the playoffs… The Red Wings are removing their goalie and will attack with six field players.
12:46 – BUT MTL 4-3: Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL) scores his 20th goal of the season, earning him a nice performance bonus, by blocking Lane Hutson (MTL)’s shot from the blue line.
A 20th for Slafkovsky, thanks to Hutson! –
9:27 – Lane Hutson (MTL) creates a spectacle by spinning around the opposing defense and his shot is blocked by James Reimer (DET).
Hutson does everything except score –
6:27 – Nick Suzuki (MTL) escapes from James Reimer (DET), but the goalkeeper keeps the upper hand by not compromising the captain’s shot.
3:31 – GOAL DISTANCE 3-3: Cayden Primeau (MTL) is led past a tree by Daniel Sprong (DET), who scores from an almost impossible angle from the left. Equality is achieved.
Sprong brings everyone back to the beginning –
0:00 – Start of period
SECOND PERIOD
20:00 – End of period
18:07 – The Habs will play 11 seconds at five on three as Lucas Raymond (DET) sent the puck directly into the stands.
16:18 – The Canadian gains numerical superiority for the first time in a long time when Christian Fischer (DET) hits Logan Mailloux (MTL) with his stick.
15:29 – Nick Suzuki (MTL) is served by Cole Caufield, but is too close to the net and cannot finish perfectly.
10:44 – DET-TOR 3-2 : Joe Veleno jumps to return a puck just as the Canadian defense is in confusion. Goalie Cayden Primeau didn’t even move, expecting a penalty.
Joe Veleno takes advantage of the confusion in the CH camp –
10:09 – BUT MTL 3-1 : The first trio makes their way through, Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield (MTL) exchange for the 28th goal of the little CH sharpshooter.
The first trio of Switzerland does its own thing! –
9:42 – In any case, Alex Newhook (MTL) wants to score again! The speedy attacker serves his roofer a cup of coffee before shooting at the post. The puck hits the post and James Reimer (DET) manages to get it back at the last minute.
6:17 – BUT MTL 2-1 : Joel Armia (MTL) makes a complete feint in front of the slide of defenseman Jeff Petry (DET) and Brendan Gallagher (MTL) only has to push a loose puck behind the Wings goalie.
Jeff Petry looks bad, Gallagher brings CH back into the lead –
2:34 – Alex Newhook (MTL) tries to add more, but James Reimer (DET) pulls out his block to frustrate him.
0:28 – Alex DeBrincat (DET) hits the post to the left of Cayden Primeau (MTL) very early in the fight.
0:00 – Start of period
FIRST PERIOD
20:00 – End of period
18:28 – GOAL DISTANCE 1-1 : The Red Wings equalize through Moritz Seider (DET), after a turnover by David Savard (MTL).
15:32 – Brendan Gallagher (MTL) tries to add even more for the CH with a nice distraction that James Reimer (DET) can stop.
11:31 – BUT MTL 1:0 : Alex Newhook scores after a two-on-one run with Brendan Gallagher (MTL). Logan Mailloux gets an assist, his first point in the National Hockey League.
After Hutson, Mailloux gets his first point! –
9:46 – Cole Caufield (5’8″) checks the giant Simon Edvinsson (6’6″) and drops him against the boards, which causes a reaction from the crowd.
Caufield topples the giant Edvinsson! –
7:01 – Cayden Primeau (MTL) parries in front of the dangerous Alex DeBrincat (DET) and the young Logan Mailloux (MTL) makes his physical presence felt by attacking an opponent in front of the net.
2:51 – Michael Pezzetta (MTL) is hit by Quebecer Joe Veleno (DET) and retreats to the dressing room.
1:40 – Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL) misses the golden chance to score his 20th goal of the season when his shot from close range goes past goalkeeper James Reimer (DET) on the left.
0:00 – Start of the game
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