The Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] did well against the Atlantic Division last season, and that included the games against Steve Yzerman’s Detroit Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings]. The Habs won three or the four meetings between the two sides last season, including the latest one in April, as both teams were clinging on to the hope of making the postseason. Montreal and Detroit fought it out first in a home-and-away series in December. The Canadiens won both of those games, the first by a score of 4-3 in Detroit with Patrik Laine scoring the game-winning goal on the power play 12 minutes into the final frame. Canadiens: Trying To Tame The Old Enemy [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-trying-to-tame-the-old-enemy] Canadiens' Blueline Ranked Among NHL's Best [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-blueline-ranked-among-nhl-s-best] Canadiens Players To Take Part In The Kevin Raphael Classic [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-players-to-take-part-in-the-kevin-raphael-classic] The result was even worse for the Wings the next day in Montreal, as the Habs secured a 5-1 win. Jake Evans, Emil Heineman, and Laine, who had all scored the day before, struck again with Juraj Slafkovsky and Brendan Gallagher completing the score. The Wings were never truly in that one, and Alex Lyon was a big reason why, surrendering five goals on just 24 shots. Detroit’s sole win of the season against the Canadiens came on January 23rd, a 4-2 triumph in which they took 45 shots on Samuel Montembeault’s net, with captain Dylan Larkin and Moritz Seider leading the charge with a couple of points each. As for the April game, Montreal won 4-1 despite only taking 21 shots on goal, far from Cam Talbot’s best effort. Meanwhile, Montembeault turned aside 35 of the 36 shots he faced. It was a tight contest until the very end; however, the game was tied until halfway through the second period when Josh Anderson sealed the deal, and Gallagher and Nick Suzuki both scored with less than two minutes to go. In the end, Montreal outscored Detroit 15-9 on the season, and its knack to beat the Wings played an essential part in its playoff qualification. Motritz Seider and Dylan Larkin were the Wings’ best players against the Habs, each posting three points, while Patrick Kane and Joe Veleno each had two. As for the Canadiens, Jake Evans was their top scorer, followed by Patrik Laine and the now departed Emil Heineman, who both had three. While Yzerman would have liked to add some scoring punch to his offense this summer, he wasn’t able to do so, but he did make some sizeable additions. Acquiring John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks for Petr Mrazek and two draft picks was a good move, if only as a solid placeholder until Trey Augustine is ready for the big leaguer. Signing Mason Appleton as a free agent will also give Detroit some depth up front, and he has playoff experience. Yzerman was also able to retain Kane’s services while shipping out Vladimir Tarasenko, whose performance fell short of expectations last season. James Van Riemsdyk’s signing will add some veteran leadership, while Jacob Bernard-Docker will bolster the blueline. The Wing will be gunning for a playoff spot this upcoming season, and those meetings with the Canadiens will be of pivotal importance. Kent Hughes didn’t stand pat this offseason, though, and the arrivals of Noah Dobson and Zach Bolduc will go a long way towards making the Habs a better team. The first game between the two teams will take place on October 9, the second tilt in two days for the Canadiens, who are starting the season with a back-to-back. Photo credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwo-DfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen], never to miss a story. Follow Karine on X @KarineHains [https://x.com/KarineHains] Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/karinehains.bsky.social] and Threads @karinehains [https://www.threads.net/@karinehains]. Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/] for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens. Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] on The Hockey News.
