Galchenyuk scores in OT as Canadiens jolt Red Wings
DETROIT -- Alex Galchenyuk scored at 1:42 of overtime as the Montreal Canadiens skated to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.
Detroit defenseman Mike Green lost control of the puck in his own end. Nikita Nesterov pounced on the loose puck and wristed a cross-ice pass to Galchenyuk, who drove a low shot between the pads of Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek (27 saves).
Artturi Lehkonen and Nathan Beaulieu each scored for Montreal, which has wrapped up the Atlantic Division title and awaits a first-round playoff series with the New York Rangers. Nesterov notched two assists and Charlie Lindgren finished with 25 saves.
Frans Nielsen and Dylan Larkin each scored for Detroit, which was playing its penultimate game at Joe Louis Arena.
Nielsen opened the scoring 10:44 into the first period after a clearing attempt by Canadiens forward Andreas Martinsen bounced off a stanchion right to Red Wings forward Darren Helm. Helm passed to Nielsen, who tucked a high backhander past Lindgren.
The Canadiens drew even on the power play 4:19 into the second period when Beaulieu's point shot through traffic slipped between Mrazek's arm and body.
Larkin put the Red Wings back in front when he one-timed a Tomas Tatar feed past a sprawling Lindgren at 12:51 of the second frame.
Montreal forged a tie with 1:30 left in the session as Mrazek stopped Nesterov's point blast, but Lehkonen shoveled home the rebound.
NOTES: F Steve Ott, who was traded to the Canadiens by the Red Wings last month, played his first game in Detroit since the deal. ... The Canadiens sat out several of their regulars, including G Carey Price, D Andrei Markov and Fs Alexander Radulov, Tomas Plekanec and Max Pacioretty, who were rested. Ds Shea Weber (lower body), Jordie Benn (upper body), Alexei Emelin (lower body) sat due to injury. ... The Canadiens recalled D Mikhail Sergachev, their 2016 top draft pick, from Windsor of the Ontario Hockey League on an emergency basis. ... F Matt Lorito made his NHL debut for the Red Wings and picked up an assist. ... The Red Wings went 19-14-5-1 against the Canadiens at Joe Louis Arena. ... Red Wings F Dylan Larkin will play for Team USA in the world championship.