New match, new power play goal for Patrik Laine. The Finn scored the winning goal in the third period to allow the Montreal Canadiens to beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on Friday night at Little Caesars Arena.
Special teams played an important role in this meeting, the first of two in 24 hours between the two Atlantic Division rivals. And lately, power play rhymes with Laine.
• Also read: Nervousness and a first win for Carrier
The sniper's one-timer was so powerful that it went behind goaltender Cam Talbot after smashing defenseman Moritz Seider's stick. Laine has now shaken the strings seven times in eight games.
On the defensive side, the Canadian frustrated the Wings during their four power play situations, largely thanks to the work of newcomer Alexandre Carrier. The Quebecer's every move was certainly scrutinized by fans. He made a very good impression in his first duel since being acquired from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Justin Barron.
Carrier was threatening with several shots that hit the target. He also spent 18:58 on the ice and finished with a +1 rating.
Jake Evans does it all
Another big contributor on special teams, Jake Evans did things in a big way for his 300th game in the National Hockey League. His active stick in defensive territory complicated things for the Red Wings and he added his two cents to the offense.
In the first period, the 28-year-old center player first set the table for Emil Heineman's seventh goal, then he himself scored at the end of the period. Evans stole the puck from Lucas Raymond at the Detroit blue line before patiently letting Talbot compromise to thwart him.
The Ontarian has 18 points to his record in 32 games. Whoever becomes a free agent next summer continues to increase his value, whether for a transaction or a contract extension.
Arber Xhekaj, thanks to his first of the season, was the Canadian's other scorer. With 33 shots in total, this is the first time that the Habs have exceeded the bar of 30 shots in a match in 2024-2025.
The two teams will quickly head to Montreal as they will face each other at the Bell Center on Saturday evening.
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SUMMARY
Third period
[20:00] End of period
[16:07] Kaiden Guhle (MTL) goes to the penalty box for hooking Lucas Raymond (DET). Detroit power play.
BUT MTL 4 – DET 3 [12:02] As was to be expected, Patrik Laine (MTL) does damage on the power play. His lightning one-timer even broke the stick of defender Moritz Seider (DET) in the process.
[10:33] Joe Veleno (DET) offers a power play to the Canadian for hooking Lane Hutson (MTL) near the Red Wings net. Digital advantage Montreal.
[8:42] Having fallen with Patrick Kane (DET), Jake Evans (MTL) must return to the locker room. Treated for a cut near his nose, he returned to the bench shortly after.
BUT 3 – THE 3rd [8:42] Joel Armia (MTL) brings the puck deep into opposing territory, then finds Arber Xhekaj (MTL), who scores his first goal of the season.
Arber, the providential man –
[7:27] Cam Talbot (DET) juggles the puck on a good throw from Jake Evans (MTL).
[6:26] Josh Anderson (MTL) tries to provoke something for the Canadian by diving towards the slot with the puck. Cam Talbot (DET) remains solid.
BUT DET 3 – MTL 2 [1:40] The Wings take the lead for the first time in the match following a defensive blunder by Lane Hutson (MTL). Michael Rasmussen (DET) steals the puck and gives it to Tyler Motte, who scores into a wide open net.
Motte puts pressure on the CH –
[0:00] Start of period
Second period
[20:00] End of period
[15:59] The officials crack down for the first time against the Red Wings, Christian Fischer (DET) being penalized for a double-check against Brendan Gallagher (MTL). Digital advantage Montreal.
[13:48] Well placed in front of the net, Kirby Dach (MTL) almost surprised Cam Talbot (DET) by turning around, but the goalkeeper quickly got his hands on the disc.
[10:45] The Canadian is punished for a third time. This time, it is Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL) who is sent to the dungeon for a double check behind Moritz Seider (DET). Detroit power play.
[6:05] Cam Talbot (DET) keeps the score tied by frustrating Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL) at close range.
[2:55] Patrik Laine (MTL) is punished for hooking Moritz Seider (DET) in defensive territory. Detroit power play.
[1:19] Belle flips pass from Mike Matheson (MTL) in the slot, but Cole Caufield wasn't quite ready to properly deflect this puck.
[0:00] Start of period
First period
[20:00] End of period
BUT DET 2 – MTL 2 [19:27] Jeff Petry (DET) hurts his former team by scoring at the end of the period. With the traffic in front of him, Samuel Montembeault (MTL) sees nothing but fire. The goal was finally given to Quebecer Joe Veleno, who deflected the defender's throw.
BUT MTL 2 – DET 1 [18:31] Jake Evans steals the puck from a shorthanded defender and thwarts Talbot (DET) with a nice feint.
Jake Evans escapes and scores –
[18:04] Samuel Montembeault (MTL) makes a funny save… with his neck! The puck jumps behind his net and lodges directly behind his helmet.
A weird save from Montembeault… with his neck! –
[17:04] Patrik Laine (MTL) is hanging in offensive territory, but the referees turn a blind eye. The action moves to the other side of the ice and this time, Kirby Dach (MTL) is punished for a high stick against Ben Chiarot (DET). Detroit power play.
[15:57] Joel Armia (MTL) finds himself alone in front of Cam Talbot (DET), but the goalkeeper makes a good save at point blank range.
BUT DET 1 – MTL 1 [13:27] Patrick Kane (DET) creates the tie with a throw that only he has the secret to. He thwarts Montembeault (MTL) with a shot in the upper part, from an impossible angle.
A Patrik Kane goal! –
[12:10] Turnover by Arber Xhekaj (MTL), who cannot recover the puck with his hand, and the Wings get a three on one. Samuel Montembeault (MTL) has the upper hand by blocking Andrew Copp's (DET) attempt.
[9:51] Jake Evans (MTL) has a gaping cage in front of him, but defenseman Moritz Seider (DET) touches the puck to prevent a certain goal.
BUT MTL 1 – IT 0 [7:07] Emil Heineman (MTL) shoots at lightning speed to beat Cam Talbot (DET) with a low shot.
Heineman takes another sharp shot and scores –
[4:24] Lane Hutson (MTL) gets into a good position to score, but his shot goes well over the crossbar.
[1:54] Alexandre Carrier (MTL) makes a first shot in this meeting. His powerful slap shot lands in the chest of the Red Wings goaltender.
[0:57] Already three shots for the Canadian in the first minute of play. Cam Talbot (DET) is forced to make quick stops.
[0:00] Start of the period. Alexandre Carrier (MTL) starts the match on the ice.
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