NHL: Alex DeBrincat all the Red Wings need to take down Canadiens

Alex DeBrincat scored the go-ahead goal and assisted on two other Detroit goals, helping the Red Wings secure a 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday at Little Caesars Arena.

DeBrincat gave Detroit a 2-1 lead with 3:25 remaining in the third period. J.T. Compher opened the scoring earlier in the period, and Andrew Copp added an empty-net goal with 16.8 seconds left to seal the win.

Goalie John Gibson made 32 saves for the Red Wings (38-23-8, 84 points), who also claimed the season series against Montreal, 2-1.

Juraj Slafkovsky scored the Canadiens’ lone goal on a second-period power play, while Jakub Dobes stopped 25 shots for Montreal (37-21-10, 84 points).

DeBrincat’s decisive goal came on a backhander after Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson lost the puck in his zone.

Detroit played without centers Dylan Larkin and Michael Rasmussen. Captain Larkin, sidelined with a lower-body injury, has missed six straight games.

Early in the second period, Detroit had a power-play chance after Alexandre Carrier was penalized for holding, but Montreal registered the only two shots during that stretch. Eight minutes later, Lane Hutson was called for interference, giving the Red Wings another power-play opportunity. Despite four shots on goal, they could not convert.

Montreal broke through late in the second period when Moritz Seider was penalized for holding Jake Evans. After the penalty, Slafkovsky scored in the slot on a rebound from Cole Caufield, with Nick Suzuki credited for the second assist.

Detroit tied the game at 1-1 early in the third period when Patrick Kane’s shot from the point deflected off Compher at the post. DeBrincat earned the second assist on the play. Copp’s empty-net goal in the final minute ensured the Red Wings’ victory.

—Field Level Media/Reuters