The Daily: Everybody Loving Red Wings Raymond; Mailloux Making NHL Debut Against Detroit

Much was made in the fall about how much Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond had pumped up his physique. As the Red Wings are making their final push for an NHL playoff position, it’s Raymond who is beefing up the Detroit offense.

In Monday’s 5-4 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens, it was Raymond’s goal with 1:17 left in regulation that would enable the Wings to stave off elimination. He put the icing on the cake by also potting the OT winner.

“Just the growth of him,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said of Raymond’s late-season push. “You want these important games for many reasons down the stretch and a lot of it is for the growth of some of our youth and I give (Raymond) a ton of credit.”

Ken Daniels’ calls of Lucas Raymond’s game-tying and winning goals were absolutely ELECTRIC 🎙️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/MlKhpSAJDM

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 16, 2024

Raymond joined Ray Sheppard (Nov. 12, 1991 at Calgary) as the second player in Red Wings history to score a game-tying goal in the final two minutes of regulation and the overtime winner in the same contest. It was his third overtime goal of the season and fifth of his NHL career. As well, he was logging his fourth multi-goal game and 21st multi-point performance of the season.

With the season on the line, Raymond is delivering the goods. He was extending his point streak to five consecutive games (6-4-10). Raymond became the first Red Wings skater age 22 or younger to reach the 30-goal mark since Dylan Larkin, who netted 32 goals during the 2018-19 season. Raymond continues to lead all Red Wings skaters with 71 points (31-40-71) through 81 games.

Red Wings Next Game

It’s do or die as the Red Wings travel to Montreal. It’s the back end of a home-and-home with the Canadiens on Tuesday. A Detroit win, coupled with a Washington loss at Philadelphia, puts the Red Wings into the playoffs. That hasn’t happened since the 2015-16 season. The Red Wings are 3-0 in theie last three visits to the Bell Center.

NHN Network

Philadelphia: Breaking down all of the playoff scenarios for the Philadelphia Flyers as they are facing the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. It’s the last regular-season game for both playoff contenders.

Pittsburgh: Off until Wednesday’s season finale against the New York Islanders, the Pittsburgh Penguins can only sit and wait and hope for the best with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance of Tuesday’s outcomes.

Nouveau numéro ⚠️

New number alert#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/dwLZhVYO9K

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 16, 2024

Montreal: Lane Hutson had his NHL debut for the Canadiens in Monday’s game at Detroit. Tuesday, it will be the turn of Logan Mailloux to make his NHL bow as the Habs close out the season.

Islanders: One of the remaining Eastern Conference playoff positions was reaching a conclusion Monday. The New York Islanders are in the postseason after beating New Jersey.