Canadiens bid adieu to Joe Louis
Lunchtime hockey? Why not? The Montreal Canadiens travel to Detroit to face the Red Wings in one of the NHL’s midday games on Monday — Martin Luther King Day in the United States. Here are five things you should know going into the Atlantic Division tilt:
1 The Canadiens have the edge
Montreal’s final visit to Joe Louis Arena is the third of four meetings between these teams and Montreal has won the first two games. Carey Price made 25 saves in a 5-0 shutout win at the Bell Centre on Nov. 12 and Paul Byron scored in overtime to back up Price’s 32-save performance in a 2-1 win in Detroit on Nov. 26.
2 Going in different directions
The Canadiens lead the Atlantic Division with 60 points after edging the Rangers 5-4 Saturday. The Red Wings showed signs of life by beating the Penguins 6-3 Saturday, but they are 14th in the Eastern Conference with 42 points. They are eight points out of a wild-card spot and are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1990.
3 Danault leads the third line
Alex Galchenyuk scored a goal in his return to the lineup Saturday, but Phillip Danault, the man who has been filling in on the top line, did a good job in his new role as the No. 3 centre. He had a goal disallowed, but collected three assists and won nine of his 12 faceoffs. He has eight points in his last six games.
4 Missing Marky
The Canadiens have struggled on defence and, while people have been asking what’s wrong with Price, the absence of Andrei Markov might be the key. Before Markov went out with a groin injury, Montreal was giving up 2.13 goals a game. In 13 games without Markov, that number has soared to 3.30. No word on when Markov will return, but he’s not skating.
5 Defence fails the Red Wings
Detroit’s decline can be traced to the worst power play in the league and terrible defence. The Wings have given up 2.95 goals a game, 23rd in the NHL. Their best goalie, Jimmy Howard, is out with a knee injury and the guy who was supposed to be No. 1, Petr Mrazek, has a 3.19 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage.