Montréal Canadiens vs Detroit Red Wings Picks and Predictions December 21st 2024

Patrik Laine, Habs shoot for home-and-home sweep of Wings

Patrik Laine’s impact on the Montreal Canadiens has been nothing short of extraordinary since his debut. Especially potent on the power play, Laine has proven to be a game-changer, and his track record against the Detroit Red Wings continues to shine. Following a thrilling 4-3 victory in Detroit on Friday, Laine and the Canadiens will look to complete a home-and-home sweep when they host the Red Wings on Saturday night.

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Patrik Laine: The Power Play Maestro

Laine, acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in an August trade, missed the start of the season due to a knee injury but has been unstoppable since returning on December 3.

• Impressive Stats: In just eight games, Laine has scored seven goals—all on the power play. Notably, every one of Montreal’s power-play goals during this span has come from Laine.
• Clutch Performer: His latest goal, a game-winner with 7:58 left in regulation on Friday, secured the Canadiens’ second straight win. Over the past two games, he’s tallied four goals, showcasing his scoring prowess.
• Dominance Against Detroit: Laine has a remarkable history of success against the Red Wings, amassing 11 goals and eight assists in 21 career games.

Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis emphasized Laine’s value: “Him scoring goals and helping the team win on the power play is big. It’s a big part of when your special teams are running good.”

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Montreal Canadiens: Building Momentum

Montreal (now 6-3-1 in their last 10 home games) has turned a corner, following a rough 1-3-0 stretch with back-to-back wins. Friday’s victory also marked just their fourth road win of the season, tied for the second-fewest in the NHL.

• Goaltending Stability: Sam Montembeault earned his second consecutive win with 25 saves on Friday and could start again on Saturday. Backup Cayden Primeau has struggled recently, allowing 11 goals on 60 shots in his past three appearances.
• Depth Contributions: Jake Evans scored a short-handed goal in his 300th NHL game on Friday, extending his point streak to four games (one goal, three assists).
• Special Teams Execution: With Laine firing on all cylinders, the Canadiens’ power play is their strongest weapon.

Defenseman Kaiden Guhle summed up the team’s focus: “A really good one for us, and turn the page for [Saturday].”

Detroit Red Wings: Striving for Consistency

The Red Wings enter Saturday’s game on a 3-5-2 run, searching for the form that recently earned them back-to-back wins. Despite flashes of brilliance, they fell short Friday after holding a 3-2 lead early in the third period.

• Offensive Highlights:
  • Patrick Kane contributed a goal and an assist Friday, marking his third straight game with a point after a nine-game drought.
  • Michael Rasmussen added two assists and has tallied four points in his last three games.
• Dylan Larkin’s Drive: Although Larkin was kept off the scoresheet Friday, he recorded six assists in the five games prior and remains a critical player for Detroit.
• Goaltending Woes: Cam Talbot made 29 saves Friday but has a 3.89 goals-against average during an 0-3-1 stretch. Alex Lyon, who recently returned from injury, may start Saturday despite allowing four goals on 19 shots in a loss to the Flyers earlier this week.

Larkin expressed determination after the loss: “We’ve just got to capitalize on our chances and play with a little more intensity. Minimize our mistakes.”

Game Outlook

The Canadiens, riding high on their recent victories, have a clear advantage with Laine’s power-play dominance and Montembeault’s steady presence in net. However, Detroit has the firepower to respond, with Kane and Rasmussen finding their rhythm and Larkin eager to bounce back.

With the Red Wings’ resilience tested and the Canadiens eager to extend their winning streak, Saturday’s game promises another tightly contested battle.

Key Players to Watch

1. Patrik Laine (MTL): The power-play powerhouse and clutch scorer.
2. Dylan Larkin (DET): The Red Wings’ leader, looking to make an impact after being held scoreless.
3. Sam Montembeault (MTL): In form and likely to start for Montreal.
4. Patrick Kane (DET): Riding a three-game point streak, Kane is heating up at the right time.

Conclusion

Patrik Laine’s incredible form has transformed the Canadiens’ season, while the Red Wings aim to adjust quickly to avoid a sweep. With the stage set for a high-stakes showdown, all eyes will be on these divisional rivals in what should be an electrifying Saturday night matchup.