The Detroit Red Wings are catching fire at the right time in the 2024-25 NHL season, but they’ll need to keep that flame burning in their upcoming matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. With their Stanley Cup Playoff hopes hanging in the balance against the Habs—who currently hold the second and final wild card spot in the East—the Red Wings can’t afford a single misstep. That’s why one of Patrick Kane’s key teammates delivered a powerful reminder to head coach Todd McLellan and the rest of the squad.
The Red Wings are riding a two-game win streak in the NHL, after narrow, yet pivotal regulation victories over the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers, two playoff teams, though the latter featured a lineup far from looking like a postseason-caliber side.
Regardless, Detroit can only play whoever stands in front of them, and they took care of business at home. Yet, their true trial by fire will come as they travel over the American-Canadian border and into the City of Saints, where the red-hot Canadiens await for a crucial matchup with Kane and McLellan‘s team.
Ahead of a game that will showcase Detroit’s sink-or-swim instincts amid a heated playoff battle, goaltender Cam Talbot made sure to remind everyone what’s at stake on April 8 at Bell Centre.
“Obviously, that’s going to be one of the biggest games of the year,” Cam Talbot admitted after the 2-1 win over Florida, per NHL.com. “That’s the team we have to catch, so we definitely need to ride this momentum.”
Detroit must chip away at their deficit behind Montreal, as the Habs currently sit six points ahead with one fewer game left on the schedule. A regulation win on the road would be pivotal for the Red Wings, as it could cut the gap to just two points once both teams have played the same number of games.
Trust in Talbot
Talbot had been putting together a solid season with the Red Wings, but he’s turned it up a notch lately as the team fights for its life. He currently ranks 24th in the NHL in save percentage among goaltenders with at least 15 games played, posting a .905 mark.
The 37-year-old goalie has started Detroit’s last five games, posting a 3-1-1 record. His best performance came against the Panthers, when he stopped 32 of 33 shots and recorded a .970 save percentage.
“Good goaltending gives you an opportunity to win the game, and that’s what [Talbot] is giving us right now,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “The team is very confident in him right now, and that’s a real good thing to have at this time of the year.”
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Pending decision
Ahead of a crucial showdown in Montreal, McLellan faces a difficult decision: ride the hot hand in Talbot, or give the veteran a rest and have Alex Lyon man the crease. With the season on the line, Detroit may choose to live or die with their best on the ice—meaning Talbot could be sent in for his sixth straight start. The Red Wings may be ready to ride him until the wheels come off.