National Hockey League
Detroit 5, Montreal 4
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 2, 2023
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Referees: Cody Beach, Frederick L'Ecuyer
Linesmen: Scott Cherrey, Tommy Hughes
Attendance: 21105

Jake Walman scored 54 seconds into overtime and Alex DeBrincat recorded his 200th career goal as the visiting Detroit Red Wings overcame blowing a two-goal, third-period lead to beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 on Saturday.

Daniel Sprong had a goal with an assist, while Joe Veleno and Christian Fischer also scored for Detroit, which has totaled 25 goals while winning five of six. However, the Red Wings blew a 4-2 third-period edge, only to have Walman's slapper save them in the extra session.

Montreal, which trailed 3-0 in the first period, got within a goal when Nick Suzuki scored the club's first power-play goal since Nov. 12 at 4:12 into the final period. The Canadiens tied it at 4-4 with 3:59 remaining in regulation when Gustav Lindstrom's wrister amid some net-front traffic got by Detroit's Ville Husso (26 saves).

The Canadiens, though, have dropped five straight games at home.

Detroit opened the scoring 7:21 into the game. On a delayed penalty, Lucas Raymond's shot deflected off a Canadiens' skate and over to the wide-open Veleno, who buried the puck past an out-of-position Jake Allen (28 saves).

The Red Wings made it 2-0 a little more than four minutes later, this time while short-handed. Michael Rasmussen took advantage of a Montreal turnover in the neutral zone, broke in and had his driving shot stopped by Allen, but the puck was there for a trailing Fischer to put in.

Detroit added a third goal with 39.4 seconds remaining in the opening period, on a two-on-one when Sprong kept the puck.

However, Montreal got a much-needed answer with 6.1 seconds left in the first, as Justin Barron drove home the puck from Suzuki's shot that deflected off Red Wing and Ex-Canadien Jeff Petry.

Montreal then recorded a short-handed goal of its own at 4:07 into the second. After Raymond toe-picked on the Detroit power play, the puck ended up with Armia, who off a two-on-one, sent a drive past Husso to make it 3-2.

However, the Red Wings answered just 47 seconds later via DeBrincat's milestone goal, off a one-timer from near the side of the net.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Detroit   Montreal
Alex DeBrincat 2 Points Nick Suzuki 2
Alex DeBrincat 1 Goals Nick Suzuki 1
Moritz Seider 2 Assists Nick Suzuki 1
Alex DeBrincat 1 Power Play Goals Nick Suzuki 1
Christian Fischer 1 Short Handed Goals Joel Armia 1
Ville Husso .867 Save Percentage Jake Allen .848
Ville Husso 26 Saves Jake Allen 28
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Detroit 33 5 1-4 4-5 10 26
Montreal 30 4 1-5 3-4 8 35
Upcoming Games
  • Montreal will play their next game at home against Seattle. The Canadiens have a W/L % of .364 after a win and .462 after a loss.
  • Detroit will play their next game on the road against Buffalo. The Red Wings have a W/L % of .538 after a win and .600 after a loss.