The Detroit Red Wings faced a crucial setback in their playoff pursuit following a 4-1 defeat to the Montreal Canadiens. Despite a promising early lead from Dylan Larkin, the Wings struggled to capitalize on their offensive opportunities, particularly against Canadiens' goaltender Sam Montembeault, who delivered a stellar performance. With the loss, the Wings now find themselves eight points behind the Canadiens in the race for the final playoff spot.

The game reflected a disparity in shots, with the Wings leading 32-11, but failing to translate that into goals. A series of key moments, including a game-winning goal from Josh Anderson in the third period, sealed the Wings' fate. The upcoming game against the Florida Panthers will be critical, as they need at least one point to keep their hopes alive.