Sam Montembeault shines as Montreal Canadiens shut down Detroit Red Wings to secure playoff prospects

The Montreal Canadiens continued their impressive run, extending their winning streak to six games with a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. Goaltender Sam Montembeault was the standout performer, making 35 saves and keeping the Canadiens in the game despite being heavily outshot 23-4 in the first period. His resilience was crucial as Detroit took the lead early with Dylan Larkin’s goal at 9:54 of the opening frame.

Montreal quickly responded in the second period, with Cole Caufield scoring to level the game. In the third period, the Canadiens took control. Josh Anderson netted the game-winning goal after Detroit’s Albert Johansson briefly left the ice, leaving the defense exposed. As the game neared its end, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Suzuki added empty-net goals to seal the victory.

The win was vital for Montreal’s playoff hopes, extending their lead over the Detroit Red Wings and the New York Rangers to eight points for the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card spot. With just four games remaining in the regular season, the Canadiens are inching closer to securing their place in the postseason.

Sam Montembeault’s excellent form has been a key factor in Montreal’s recent surge. He has been nearly perfect in April, winning all three of his starts while posting a 1.67 goals-against average, making him a standout performer in the team’s playoff push.

Beyond their victory, the Canadiens’ success had broader implications for the Rangers, who saw their playoff hopes dim further after suffering a 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. With just five games left, New York now finds themselves six points behind Montreal, complicating their path to a playoff berth.