Player to Watch: Michael Rasmussen Leads Detroit Red Wings Against Canadiens in Showdown

The Detroit Red Wings will play the first half of a back-to-back on the road against the Montreal Canadiens tonight with puck drop set for 7:00 PM. This is the Wings' third matchup against the Canadiens this year. The Red Wings won the first matchup on opening night 3-0 in Detroit. The second matchup went to Montreal in a shootout 3-2 also in Detroit.

Tonight’s Red Wings player to watch: Michael Rasmussen

Rasmussen has been on a tear as of late scoring a goal and four assists in the last five games and a goal and an assist in just the last game against the Sharks, his goal got the scoring started and his assist came on the overtime game-winner scored by Andrew Copp.

Rasmussen is on pace for the best season of his career this season. He is on pace to surpass last season's totals, which is currently the best season in his short four-year career. Last season Rasmussen scored 15 goals and 12 assists for 27 points, he would go on to finish the season in the top ten on the Wings in points scored and sixth on the team in goals scored.

This season he has been constantly shuffling between all the lines but for tonight’s game he is slated to be on the second line with Copp and David Perron. Rasmussen is not expected to play on the power-play unit in this one. On the season Rasmussen has one power-play point coming on an assist.

Rassmussen's career vs. Montreal

Rasmussen’s play against Montreal and play as of late could be the key to leading the Wings to victory.

In his career against the Canadiens, Rasmussen has played in seven games scoring one goal and two assists. But the reason he is my player to watch is aside from his current play that one goal and two assists came this season against Montreal on opening night. Combine that with his play as of late he should be a key cog to this game tonight.  

Wrap Up

The Red Wings got a much-needed win against San Jose now with this matchup against Montreal they have a chance to get a little distance between them and the Canadiens in the tightly packed Atlantic Division as Montreal is five points behind the Wings.

Detroit with the win Tuesday night was the last team to pick up their 20th win of the season in their division, they are tied with Toronto in the division with eight for the most overtime losses thankfully Tuesday they were able to win in extra time.