Impressions of Montreal Canadiens vs. Detroit Red Wings (Game No. 78)

The Montreal Canadiens are riding a wave of confidence, thanks to a nice win streak, that has padded their post in the final Eastern Conference Wildcard position.

After winning two in a row versus the Florida Panthers, the Habs rolled through their next three games (Boston, Philadelphia and Nashville) not unscathed, as the Predators game was too close for comfort, but they are looking to increase their second wildcard lead.

Beating the Detroit Red Wings would give the Habs (77gp) an eight-point cushion between themselves and their Original Six foe, the Red Wings. Detroit has a game in hand (76 GP), but trails the Habs by six points heading into Tuesday night’s marquee matchup.

So, this is a big game for both sides, and Detroit needs the two points to regain traction in their late-season push for a playoff berth.

Once again, Lane Hutson is in the conversation- to pass the 60-assists plateau as a rookie defenseman - something that has drawn the attention of a certain Boston Bruins legendary defenseman.

The retired No. 77 in Boston’s TD Garden belongs to Ray Bourque, who once upon a time was electrifying the NHL as a rookie defenseman (17-48-65 ), has high praise for Hutson (No. 48) who trails him by one point (64) and he trails Larry Murphy (60) by two assists (58) for the most all-time for a rookie defenseman.

Bourque just wants Hutson to keep working, and never get complacent.

We can go down the line and I’ll chuck out a few names to watch for the CH against the Red Wings on Tuesday night.

Juraj Slafkovsky’s career-high (50 points in 2023-24) through 82 games is at risk of being bested by the 6 foot 3, 238-pound Slovakian, who has 48 points and five more games to play.

Nick Suzuki is also intriguing, in that his next point (85th of the season) will give him the highest scoring season by a Canadiens player since Alex Kovalev in 2007-08.

Cole Caufield has 36 goals, and with an additional five games to play - he is looking to establish himself as a 40-goal scorer - after setting a new career best in points (66) - he needs four goals, to join Vincent Damphousse, who scored 40 for the Habs in 1993-94.

And now for the game analysis

Jayden Struble hammered Jonatan Berggren in the neutral zone. Then he flattened him in Samuel Montembeault’s crease moments later.

Hutson fired a floater toward Cam Talbot, and Nick Suzuki deflected it before Cole Caufield had a nice rebound attempt.

Suzuki slowed up, after receiving a pass in stride because Ben Chiarot was lurking. He got a good chunk of Suzuki, who absorbed the hit - par for the course - and the puck trickled toward Talbot’s net.

Josh Anderson put an end to Tyler Motte with a thunderous hit on the backcheck.

Detroit has forced a couple of turnovers on the Habs, creating some excellent zone time, and pressing the Habs' defensive scheme. They lead in shots 7-3.

Kaiden Guhle put Marco Kasper down with a big forearm shiver.

No. 35 has held the Habs in early, with some key saves. Struble has been aggressive tonight, now he is bullying Vladimir Tarasenko around.

Hutson did some everyday things and made a great pass after evading two attackers. The Habs transitioned up the ice, and Guhle had a great chance.

Detroit caught Mike Matheson going the wrong way, and Patrick Kane and Dylan Larkin broke in on a 2-on-1 - 1-0 Red Wings. Captain Larkin has the tally.

The Red Wings lead commandingly - 14-3 in shots - after 10 minutes of play.

Jeff Petry caught Juraj Slafkovsky with a heavy slapshot attempt, that left No. 20 hobbling off to the bench.

Josh Anderson labelled Simon Edvinsson into the boards to the right of Talbot.

Then Guhle had the puck squeeze out in the high slot, and fired a great feed into Talbot’s chest.

Montreal hasn’t had a great start, and has looked sluggish at times, a trend that Martin St. Louis and the club would like to put behind them.

But time is on their side, with over five minutes to go in the first. Along with forty more minutes of play after that.

After some post-whistle shenanigan’s, Anderson is in the box for roughing former Hab Ben Chiarot.

Really bad period is over now.

Second Period

The second period was not noteworthy at any point, and in the final six minutes, the CH are still down 1-0, with nine shots directed at Talbot.

On the Habs' 10th shot of the night, Cole Caufield scored his 37th goal, started in his zone, and then in the offensive zone. Bell Centre is buzzing. Suzuki has point 85.

Alexandre Carrier is off for two minutes - holding against Kasper - so the Red Wings are to their second power play of the game.

Third Period

Big period for both teams if Montreal wins, they can clinch statistically (87 points), and the Red Wings are out of contention. Nevermind the other option.

Incredibly, the Habs who have 12 shots are tied with Detroit 1-1, who has 32 shots.

Hutson’s creativity almost created a beauty for Anderson, who missed wide.

Montreal is humming, and hooting and hollerin’ (the Bell Centre faithful).

The fans fuelled a fire, that erupted with Josh Anderson firing home a wonderful play by Christan Dvorak.

2-1 Montreal.

Slafkovsky is off to the box for tripping Alex Debrincat. Red Wings have a golden chance to tie the game.

Guhle blocked a shot attempt by Lucas Raymond, with 16 ticks on the power play. Big play by No. 21.

Talbot robbed Caufield, though he had a tough angle.

Detroit pulled Talbot, and Brendan Gallagher fired the puck down the ice into the net for a 3-1 lead. Gallagher has 21 goals now.

Then Gallagher collected a loose puck, and slid it to Suzuki, who fired it into the net for his 28th of the season. It’s also his 87th point of the year - three shy of 90.

Habs win 4-1, and clinch their playoff spot, on the eve of the Ivan Demidov announcement.