mymotherlode
MONTREAL (AP) — In a tightly contested matchup, the Montreal Canadiens emerged with a 1-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night, thanks to Zachary Bolduc's shootout goal in the sixth round and Jacob Fowler's 30-save performance.
After Bolduc slipped the puck through the pads of Detroit goaltender Daniil Tarasov to open the tiebreaker, Fowler sealed the win by stopping Nate Danielson. The Canadiens (2-2-1) ended a three-game skid and celebrated their first home win in three tries this season.
Fowler, 21, recorded his second career shutout and made his second consecutive start after being called up from the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. Tarasov, making his first start for the Red Wings, turned aside 30 shots in a losing effort.
Detroit (1-3-1), playing its first road game of the season, suffered its second loss in as many nights after falling 6-3 to the Seattle Kraken on Friday.
Montreal had three apparent goals waved off. Cole Caufield's shot 1:16 into the game was ruled not to have crossed the goal line, while Bolduc's second-period tally was disallowed due to goaltender interference by Jake Evans on Tarasov. Another potential goal by Alexandre Texier was overturned for offside midway through overtime.
Throughout the game, Canadiens fans made their feelings known about Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin, repeatedly chanting "We want Larkin! We want Larkin!" in an effort to lure the American to Montreal. The former Red Wings captain requested a trade out of Detroit this past offseason.
Key Analysis
The Canadiens' victory was a much-needed confidence boost, especially with three goals negated by video review. Fowler's steady presence in net and Bolduc's clutch shootout move provided the difference. For Detroit, the loss extends a tough start, but Tarasov's solid debut offers a silver lining. The fan chants for Larkin added an intriguing subplot, highlighting the ongoing speculation about his future.
Up next: Red Wings host New Jersey on Tuesday night; Canadiens host Buffalo on Tuesday night.
_ See AP's full NHL coverage here.
Originally reported by mymotherlode.