Special teams was the name of the game on Friday night at Little Caesars Arena in an Original 6 clash between the divisional foes Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens.
Unfortunately, it was the Habs who won the special teams battle, scoring the winning power play goal late in the 3rd period while also scoring shorthanded.
Meanwhile, the Red Wings failed to convert on all four power play chances they had, including a must-score opportunity late in the 3rd.
But in addition to that frustrating outcome, the Canadiens managed to break out of an embarrassing streak of their own.
Entering tonight's game, the Habs had tied an NHL record with 31 consecutive games in which they failed to register 30 shots.
Against the Red Wings, they broke that streak, firing 33 shots on goaltender Cam Talbot.
Unfortunately, Talbot didn't have his A-game; he allowed two very poor goals, including the game-tying marker from Montreal's Arber Xhekaj, which was his 1st goal this year and 1st goal in 47 games.
The Red Wings got 1st period goals from Patrick Kane and Joe Veleno; for both players, it was their 2nd goal in as many games. Tyler Motte also connected for Detroit in the 3rd period, capitalizing on a pretty pass from Michael Rasmussen.
Both teams will face one another tomorrow night in Montreal.
POLL | ||
12 HOURS AGO | 19 ANSWERS Red Wings allow Montreal Canadiens to break an embarrassing NHL single-season record against them What was the more frustrating aspect of the Red Wings' 4-3 loss to the Canadiens on Friday? | ||