Canadiens push toward playoff spot with win over Red Wings

Montreal Canadiens' Josh Anderson (17) celebrates his go-ahead goal in front of Detroit Red Wings' J.T. Compher (37) during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

By Sportsnet Staff

Posted April 8, 2025 9:57 pm.

The Montreal Canadiens are hot at the right time.

Montreal is on the verge of clinching its first playoff spot since its 2021 run to the Stanley Cup Final after beating the visiting Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Tuesday.

The Canadiens, who have won six in a row, are now eight points ahead of the Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers for the second and final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Dylan Larkin opened the scoring for the Red Wings in a first period in which Detroit outshot Montreal 23-4.

Cole Caufield tied it late in the second period with his 37th goal of the season before Josh Anderson put the home side up 2-1 midway through the third. Brendan Gallagher and Nick Suzuki added empty-netters.

The win came hours after the Canadiens signed prized prospect Ivan Demidov to an entry-level deal.

Montreal returns to action Friday in Ottawa against the Senators.

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