Raymond scores late in 3rd and OT to keep Red Wings playoffs alive with 5-4 win over Canadiens
Lucas Raymond scored with just 25 seconds remaining in overtime, after tying the game with 1:17 left in regulation, leading the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 comeback victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
“All tonight did is give us an opportunity,” remarked J.T. Compher, who netted two goals for Detroit to reduce their deficits. “All this did was give us a chance to finish the job.”
The Red Wings will secure a playoff spot if they win at Montreal and Washington loses at Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
Detroit coach Derek Lalonde acknowledged his team’s exceeding preseason expectations, positioning them to potentially clinch a playoff spot in the final game of the regular season.
“It’s here now,” he said. “It’s going to be a challenge.”
The Red Wings hit the goalposts twice in overtime before Raymond’s shot from the right circle beat Sam Montembeault, sparking a celebration with teammates and cheering fans.
“I kind of blacked out, to be honest,” Raymond admitted.
Brendan Gallagher scored two goals, and Montembeault made 30 saves for the Canadiens, who led 4-1 late in the second period.
Compher’s goals helped pull the Red Wings within one during the first period and reduced their deficit to two late in the second. Alex DeBrincat’s goal made it 4-3 midway through the third.
“They got a couple goals, a couple octopuses on the ice, and the building really got going,” said Gallagher. “They’re desperate.”
Detroit overcame Alex Lyon’s early struggles, as he conceded two goals from the first three shots he faced and finished with 17 saves against a team not in playoff contention.
The Red Wings had a streak of 25 consecutive postseasons, the third-longest in NHL history, which ended in 2016 at Joe Louis Arena. Fans, eager for a playoff team, packed Little Caesars Arena for the final regular-season home game.
