(Detroit) The Canadian found himself in overtime for the sixth time this season and for the third time Cole Caufield played the hero.
Caufield scored the winner on a power play with 44 seconds left in overtime, and the Montreal Hockey Club ended a four-game losing streak by defeating the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Thursday at Little Caesars Arena.
Positioned in the face-off circle to the right of goalkeeper James Reimer, Caufield accepted a pass from Mike Matheson, moved back to his right, and then shot against the flow to the top of the Shield side.
The 22-year-old American leads the NHL with three goals in overtime this season. He has seven for his career, Bettman’s league-high since his NHL debut, tied with Martin Necas, Alex DeBrincat and Connor McDavid.
“I love being in those situations,” Coffield said. Of course it would be better to win in regulation time, but you have to take advantage of the opportunity in front of you. »
Coach Martin St. Louis has shuffled the cards a bit, placing Alex Newhook and Josh Anderson on Nick Suzuki’s wings. Caufield found himself to the left of Christian Dvorak and Juraj Slavkovski.
Just over 24 hours after making his mistake in front of the cameras, Matheson scored a goal and two assists, contributing to all of his team’s goals. The 29-year-old defenseman has compiled minus-3 differentials in his past two outings. This time he finished the evening at plus 1.
“He was able to manage the risks better,” St. Louis said. It was a performance he needed to bounce back from. It will help him. »
Suzuki also scored for the Canadian (6-5-2), in addition to providing the assist. In his second start of the season, Kayden Primeau stopped 27 shots.
Primeau won his first NHL game since December 16, 2021 against the Philadelphia Flyers. It ended a personal streak of nine NHL losses (0-8-1 in 13 outings).
“Kayden was our best player tonight,” Caufield said. He made difficult saves in key moments, especially in extra time. »
The Habs are 3-0 in overtime this season and 1-2 in shootouts.
Christian Fisher and JT Compher scored for the Red Wings (7-5-2). Reimer made 23 saves.
The Canadian will return to the Bell Center this weekend. They will host the Boston Bruins on Saturday, then the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday.
Good fight
The visitors opened the scoring after 7:02 of play, and Newhook took advantage of the space created by Moritz Seider falling after a contact with Suzuki to take the lead. Newhook then joined Matheson in the slot and the Montreal defender pulled the strings with a live shot from the side of the shield.
The Canadian did not achieve the lead in each of his previous six matches.
“I think that was our challenge tonight: to play a good first period, to score the first goal,” St. Louis insisted. He allowed us to play the game in front of us, without having to take any risks. »
Primeau maintained that lead for more than a while thanks to some good saves. He was particularly alert against Geoff Petrie during a two-man attack, and then when Dylan Larkin wanted to surprise him from behind the net.
Suzuki came close to widening the gap in the second half when the Canadian was outnumbered. He escaped but his shot hit Reimer’s shoulder before hitting the post.
Reimer pointed to himself again as Anderson appeared alone in front of him. He countered with his shield.
Sean Monahan beat Reimer with 7:58 left in the second period on a power play. But Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde won his case during the video challenge. Replays showed offside when entering the area.
The Red Wings took advantage of this second opportunity, tying it 1-1 with 3:16 left in the second period. Michael Rasmussen backhand shot. The ball deflected off Primo and Fisher’s gloves before finishing its journey behind the goal line.
The officials reviewed the goal, but ultimately awarded it because Fisher did not intentionally clear the ball with his glove.
The two teams exchanged goals at the beginning of the third period. Suzuki stunned Reimer between the pads on a power play 26 seconds into the game and then Compher found the slot over Primo’s right shoulder at 6:06.
Primeau and Reimer made good saves in overtime, but the Red Wings goaltender was penalized for stupidly grabbing Caufield’s stick after a collision between players.
Suzuki got to the post first, and Caufield made the difference a few seconds later.
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