Jeff Bilbrey
Inside the Article:
The Detroit Red Wings look to continue their winning ways before the All-Star break as they face off against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.
Game: Detroit Red Wings (20-18-8) v.s. Montreal Canadiens (20-25-3)
When: Thursday, January 26th
Time: 7:0 PM ET
Where: Bell Centre
Where to Watch: Bally Sports Detroit/ ESPN+ Stream
Why it matters
- The Red Wings are coming off an overtime win against the Sharks and are looking to post a strong finish before the break.
- Analyst Mickey Redmond talked about the Red Wings having post-season hopes, but they need to string together wins.
- The Canadiens recently lost Cole Caufield for the remainder of the season and are already short on offense.
Key Players to Watch
The Red Wings will be led by captain Dylan Larkin, who has had a standout season so far with 21 goals and 18 assists. Larkin is known for his speed and agility on the ice, making him a tough opponent for the Canadiens to defend against. On the Canadiens’ side, forward Tomas Tatar will be one to watch. Tatar has been on fire this season, with 22 goals and 18 assists. He’s a skilled player who can make quick moves and score on the power play.
Red Wings’ Strengths
The Red Wings have a strong defensive core, with players like Filip Hronek and Troy Stecher holding down the blue line. They also have a solid penalty kill, which has been successful at shutting down opposing power plays. Additionally, the Red Wings have a strong team cohesion and work ethic, which has helped them to win close games.
Canadiens’ Strengths
The Canadiens have a strong offense led by Tatar and fellow forward Brendan Gallagher. They also have a solid power play, which scored goals successfully. Additionally, the Canadiens have a strong team spirit and are known for never giving up, which has helped them to come back from behind to win games.
By the Numbers
- This is the third meeting between the Red Wings and Canadiens, with the teams splitting a pair of games in Detroit earlier in the season.
- The Canadiens have a 5-5 record in their last ten games and are currently at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with a 6.9% chance of winning the No. 1 spot in the draft lottery.
- Jake Allen is ready to return to the Canadiens lineup, but it remains to be seen when he will make his next start, as Sam Montembeault has staked a claim for the starting role during Allen’s absence.
- Kirby Dach has recently moved back to the center position for the Canadiens due to injuries and scored both of the Canadiens’ goals in their recent 4-2 loss to the Bruins.
- Dylan Larkin leads the Red Wings with 42 points, but contract talks with GM Steve Yzerman have stalled, and his future in Detroit is uncertain.
What they’re saying
- “The Red Wings need to get a winning streak going after the All-Star break, but it starts with a strong finish in the last two contests before the All-Star Break.” – Mickey Redmond
The Bottom Line
The Detroit Red Wings need to focus on creating scoring chances and executing their game plan of getting pucks on net and creating meaningful scoring chances. By getting in tight to create high-danger scoring chances, they have a good chance of finding the back of the net. Defense will be key to avoiding leaving Husso out to dry. For prop bets, consider looking into options for Dylan Larkin, who has been on a strong scoring streak recently.
What is the Detroit Red Wings’ schedule?
Remaining Detroit Red Wings Schedule:
