The Montreal Canadiens (30-36-14) and the Detroit Red Wings (39-32-9) meet Monday night in the 1st game of a home and home series to wrap up the regular season. Puck drop at Little Caesars Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+).' Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s'lines around the Canadiens vs. Red Wings odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
This is the 3rd matchup between these teams this season — the first 2 games needed OT to decide a winner. Montreal cashed as a +165 road underdog in a 3-2 OT victory when RW Cole Caufield found the back of the net for the game winner March 9. Detroit exacted revenge, on D Jake Walman’s goal,' with a 5-4 overtime win Dec. 2, cashing as a -145 road favorite.
The Red Wings enter Monday with a 33.8% chance to make the postseason according to Moneypuck. They are 1 of 4 teams still alive for the Eastern Conference’s final Wild Card spot. Detroit is tied with Washington and Philadelphia at 87 points apiece, while Pittsburgh has 86 points.
Detroit’s easiest scenario? Beat Montreal twice and hope that Washington takes an L against either Boston Monday or at Philadelphia Tuesday — the Flyers only have the 1 game left. The Red Wings have not made the postseason since 2016.