Game 81: Montreal Canadiens @ Detroit Red Wings
Start time: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT
In Canada: Sportsnet (English)
In the Canadiens region: RDS (French)
In the Red Wings region: Bally Sports Detroit X
Streaming: ESPN+, RDS, Sportsnet+
Lane Hutson has joined the Montreal Canadiens after a couple of NCAA seasons since his draft, and his NHL team will provide him the familiarity of games in back-to-back days like he experienced during his collegiate career. First off he’ll make his debut in Detroit, playing on a pairing with David Savard to give him a bit of defensive security in his first contest.
The Canadiens have been slightly better on the road this season for whatever reason, so it’s not a bad place to get his first game action. Detroit, however, has a home record that ranks right among the best teams in the Atlantic Division, so not only will the Red Wings be extra motivated to take care of their own business as they try to secure a playoff spot, they’re just a tough opponent in general at Little Caesars Arena.
Montreal seems to be relishing the chance to face these desperate teams, getting as close to playoff experience as they can manage in this rebuilding season. They’ve already played a part in making the Philadelphia Flyers’ path much more difficult, and they’ll try to do the same to a fellow Original Six club that currently sits ninth in the Eastern Conference.
Montreal Canadiens projected lineup
| Left Wing |
Centre |
Right Wing |
| #22 Cole Caufield |
#14 Nick Suzuki |
#20 Juraj Slafkovský |
| #11 Brendan Gallagher |
#35 Alex Newhook |
#40 Joel Armia |
| #49 Rafaël Harvey-Pinard |
#71 Jake Evans |
#17 Josh Anderson |
| #55 Michael Pezzetta |
#28 Christian Dvorak |
#56 Jesse Ylönen |
| Left Defence |
Right Defence |
| #8 Mike Matheson |
#52 Justin Barron |
| $54 Jordan Harris |
#26 Johnny Kovacevic |
| #48 Lane Hutson |
#58 David Savard |
| Starter |
Backup |
| #30 Cayden Primeau |
#35 Samuel Montembeault |
Injured: Kirby Dach, Kaiden Guhle, Joshua Roy, Chris Wideman, Arber Xhekaj
Scratched: Tanner Pearson, Jayden Struble, Colin White
Detroit Red Wings projected lineup
| Left Wing |
Centre |
Right Wing |
| Alex DeBrincat |
Dylan Larkin |
Lucas Raymond |
| David Perron |
J.T. Compher |
Patrick Kane |
| Robby Fabbro |
Joe Veleno |
Christian Fishcer |
| Zack Aston-Reese |
Austin Czarnik |
Daniel Sprong |
| Left Defence |
Right Defence |
| Ben Chiarot |
Moritz Seider |
| Simon Edvinsson |
Jeff Petry |
| Olli Maatta |
Shayne Gostisbehere |
| Starter |
Backup |
| Alex Lyon |
James Reimer |
