Red Wings miss playoffs despite 5-4 shootout win over Canadiens

Detroit Red Wings’ Moritz Seider (53) celebrates with teammates after his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

MONTREAL (AP) — Patrick Kane scored the shootout winner in a 5-4 Detroit win over the Montreal Canadiens in their regular-season finale Tuesday night, but the Red Wings were eliminated from playoff contention.

Red Wings Canadiens Hockey

The Red Wings entered the night tied with Washington for the East’s second wild-card spot with 89 points. The Capitals, however, held the tiebreaker over Detroit with more regulations wins and clinched the final playoff spot with a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.

Detroit has missed the playoffs eight straight seasons.

Daniel Sprong had a goal and an assist, while Moritz Seider, Joe Veleno and David Perron also scored for Detroit (41-32-9). The Red Wings prevailed in a dramatic 5-4 overtime victory over the Canadiens on home ice a day earlier.

Montreal Canadiens’ Lane Hutson (48) battles Detroit Red Wings’ David Perron (57) in front of the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

James Reimer stopped 29 shots for Detroit.

Brendan Gallagher and Juraj Slafkovsky had a goal and an assist, while Alex Newhook and Cole Caufield also scored for Montreal (30-36-16). Cayden Primeau made 36 saves.

Red Wings Canadiens Hockey

Canadiens fans got a first glimpse of some up-and-coming blueliners in the organization. Logan Mailloux made his NHL debut after spending the entire season with the American Hockey League’s Laval Rocket. The 21-year-old produced one assist for his first NHL point.

Detroit Red Wings goaltender James Reimer (47) makes a save against Montreal Canadiens’ Christian Dvorak (28) as Red Wings’ Shayne Gostisbehere (41) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Lane Hutson showed his moves, received loud applause and produced a crucial assist playing at the Bell Centre for the first time. He debuted Monday in Detroit, where he earned one assist.

Down 3-2 after 40 minutes, the Red Wings tied the game 3:31 into the third period with a shot from behind the net that banked off Primeau’s pads and into the net.

Slafkovsky put Montreal back ahead with his 20th of the season, deflecting a point shot from Hutson at 12:46.

With their season on the line, the Red Wings pulled their goalie with 1:48 remaining, hoping to replicate Monday’s late-game comeback. And they did.

After Montreal iced the puck, Perron scored with 3.3 seconds left with a one-timer from the point to force overtime and keep the Red Wings’ season alive momentarily.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Montreal Canadiens’ Alex Newhook (15) scores on Detroit Red Wings goaltender James Reimer (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Detroit Red Wings goaltender James Reimer (47) makes a save against Montreal Canadiens’ Juraj Slafkovsky (20) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal Canadiens’ Alex Newhook (15) celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings with Logan Mailloux (94) and Mike Matheson (8) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Detroit Red Wings’ Jeff Petry (46) breaks his stick as he works against Montreal Canadiens’ Tanner Pearson (70) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)