Achi news desk-
Detroit –
Lucas Raymond scored 4:35 into overtime after scoring a game-tying goal with 1:17 remaining to lift the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 comeback win over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night that keeps their playoff hopes alive.
Detroit pulled within two shots in overtime before Raymond’s shot from the right circle sailed past Sam Montembo.
Brendan Gallagher scored two goals and Montembo stopped 30 shots for the Canadiens, who scored two early goals and took a 4-1 lead late in the second period.
JT Compher pulled the Red Wings within a goal midway through the first period and scored again to cut the deficit to two late in the second. Alex DeBrincat made it 4-3 midway through the third.
Detroit made up for Alex Lyon giving up two goals on the first three shots against him, allowed two more goals in the second period and finished with 17 saves against a team far from playoff contention.
The Red Wings have earned a spot in the 25th straight postseason, the third-longest streak in NHL history, and the streak was stopped in 2016 when they played at Joe Louis Arena.
Fans, desperate to cheer on a playoff team once again, packed Little Caesars Arena for the final home regular season game.
Gallagher’s first goal was set up by Lane Hutson, a 20-year-old defenseman from Holland, Michigan, in his NHL debut. Justin Barron followed up with a goal less than two minutes later.
Raphael Harvey-Pinard restored Montreal’s two-goal lead early in the second half and Gallagher’s second goal made it 4-1 late in the period.
The Canadiens have missed the playoffs three straight since losing in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final and are aiming to avoid a third consecutive last-place finish in the Metropolitan Division.
the next
The Red Wings and Canadiens close out the regular season Tuesday night in Montreal.
