This is NHL Predictions at the Last Word On Hockey, featuring a detailed analysis of two teams who know that every point counts as March rolls on. The Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens are ready to face-off on Thursday night and it’s a matchup with clear Stanley Cup Playoff implications. Both teams are coming off big wins, and are looking to keep building momentum as the playoff race intensifies.

NHL Predictions with Red Wings and Canadiens

Season Series: Tied 1-1

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

How to Watch: FDSNDET, RDS, TSN2

Location: Little Caesars Arena

The Red Wings are looking for a way to keep momentum after a turbulent first half of March that saw injuries decimate them as they limped to a 4-4-2 record with 10 points to show for their last 10 contests. They’re no stranger to adversity, having overcome more than their fair share of up-and-down moments all season. The Canadiens have enjoyed a smoother but unspectacular road, with a 5-3-2 record in their previous 10. Their win over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday has gotten them back on track after they dropped two straight.

Credit Image: © Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire

Playoff Pictures for the Red Wings and Canadiens

Detroit entered March with the top Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, but they can’t seem to remedy their struggles down the stretch. Since the month began, the Red Wings haven’t given themselves a cushion in the Wild Card as they remain deadlocked with the Bruins with 82 points apiece, making this game even more pivotal.

Montreal steamrolled into March sitting in third place with 75 points. They’re still in third place, with 84 points, driving home that this race is every bit as tight for the Canadiens as it is for the Red Wings.

Today’s Matchup

The Red Wings and Canadiens might both be in serious playoff contention, but Montreal is the better team on paper. While the Canadiens are 24th in goals allowed and have been inconsistent in the net, they’re a high-octane fourth in goals scored. Detroit is a respectable 10th in goals allowed, but just 19th in scoring.

Montreal also boasts a top-10 power play at 24.1 percent, while the Wings are in the middle of the road, with 21.9. Neither penalty kill units have been outstanding and are ranked 18th and 27th, respectively, but the Wings hold a narrow lead with a 78.7 percentage compared to 76.9% for the Canadiens.

As a unit, the Canadiens are tied for first in shooting percentage at 13.2, thanks to young talents like Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Cole Caufield. If the Wings want to skate away with two points, they must contain Montreal’s top three forwards and get an elite game in the net.

The Canadiens have been stagnant all season in the net, and it shows with their 25th-ranked save percentage. Detroit has been hot in the net for most of the season, and they boast the 12th-best save percentage in the game at .894. If Montreal wants to put themselves in the best-possible position to win, they need their top scorers to enjoy yet another rock-solid game.

Injury News and Lineup Notes

The Red Wings are still missing Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp as they continue to mend their lower-body injuries. Michael Rasmussen has also been slated to miss time, and it has left the Red Wings making the best out of a bad situation with AHL-level centres filling the gap. The good news is that Copp is nearing his return and is a game-time decision.

As for the Canadiens, they’re missing Kirby Dach, who has been a reliable goal-scorer when healthy. But Dach has only played in 32 games this season, and the Canadiens have found ways to stay consistent without one of their more underrated and complete players. Montreal will also play this one without Josh Anderson.

The Goalies

John Gibson is the projected starter for the Red Wings. Gibson had gotten off to a rough start, but has since become one of the league’s more reliable netminders, posting a .906 save percentage, a 2.56 goals-against average, and four shutouts.

As for the Canadiens, the likely nod will go to Jakub Dobes). Dobes started off hot, but has since been up and down. He has a 0.892 save percentage, a 2.93 GAA, and zero shutouts. He has, however, been rock-solid in his previous four outings, sporting a 3-1-0 record, and has allowed three or fewer goals in each game during that stretch.

However, it is a great time for our disclaimer. Please check social media prior to puck drop, to see definitely who gets the nod, before setting your fantasy roster for the day.

NHL Predictions

The Red Wings are missing one of their best players when the stakes are at their highest, while a relatively healthy Canadiens team has the edge in so many different areas of the game. Montreal has also been one of the better road teams this season.

Prediction: Red Wings 2 – Canadiens 4.

Main Photo: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images