Red Wings Own the Bell Centre: Gibson Shuts the Door in Statement Win at Montreal
Some wins feel bigger than the score.
Walking into an Original Six building, against a team tied with you atop the division, and owning the ice from start to finish — that’s not just two points. That’s a message.
The Detroit Red Wings delivered one of their most complete performances of the season Saturday night, blanking the Montreal Canadiens 4–0 at the Bell Centre. It was structured, disciplined, confident hockey — the kind that travels in April.
And it started with goaltending.
Gibson Was the Difference — Again
Right now, John Gibson is playing as well as any goalie in the league.
Montreal managed just three shots in the entire first period, a staggering number in their own building, and Gibson never gave them a reason to believe. Calm, square, and in total control, he turned aside all 27 shots he faced for a shutout that felt inevitable long before the final horn.
This wasn’t a game where Detroit survived because of Gibson — it was a game where Montreal never found oxygen because of him.
If you’re wondering why the Red Wings are where they are in the standings, this version of Gibson is a massive part of the answer.
A Fortunate Bounce — and Raymond Cashes In
The game stayed tight into the early second period, until hockey did what hockey does.
Detroit dumped the puck into the zone, and a bad bounce off the end boards kicked the puck directly out front. Lucas Raymond, who had already hit the post twice earlier in the game, pounced immediately and snapped a wrister home.
Was it lucky? Sure.
Was it earned? Absolutely.
That goal flipped the switch. From there on, Detroit dictated pace, spacing, and possession — and Montreal never seriously threatened again.
The Stars Take Over
Later in the second period, the Wings doubled the lead on a beautifully executed power play.
Alex DeBrincat drew coverage, slipped a perfect feed across, and Dylan Larkin buried it for his 23rd goal of the season. It was a captain’s goal — decisive, timely, and deflating for the home crowd.
In the third, DeBrincat was not to be outdone. Left completely alone streaking up the middle — a clear missed assignment — he walked in and finished cleanly to make it 3–0, putting the game out of reach. With the goal, he tied Larkin for the team lead with 23.
Andrew Copp sealed it with an empty-netter late, sending Detroit home with their 27th win of the season and one of their most convincing efforts to date.
This Was a Complete Road Game
Nothing about this win felt accidental.
- Detroit limited Montreal’s chances early
- Controlled the neutral zone
- Won board battles
- Stayed disciplined
- Capitalized when opportunities appeared
This wasn’t about one line or one stretch. It was a full 60 minutes — the kind coaches dream about and opponents hate.
Stat Capsule 🏒
Final Score: Red Wings 4, Canadiens 0
Shots (MTL): 27
Shots (1st Period MTL): 3
Goal Scorers (DET)
- Lucas Raymond
- Dylan Larkin (PP, 23rd)
- Alex DeBrincat (23rd)
- Andrew Copp (ENG)
Game Leaders
- John Gibson: 27 saves, shutout
- Alex DeBrincat: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Dylan Larkin: 1 goal, 1 assist
Team Notes
- Detroit improves to 27 wins
- One of the Wings’ most complete road performances of the season
- Shutout in an Original Six building vs a division rival
Bigger Picture
When you can walk into Montreal — tied atop the division — and make it look this controlled, it means something.
Detroit didn’t just win.
They asserted themselves.
And now, it gets emotional.
Next Up: A Special Night in Hockeytown
The Red Wings return home Monday night to face the Carolina Hurricanes, a team that got the better of Detroit in late December.
But the result won’t be the only thing that matters.
Monday night marks the long-overdue jersey retirement of Sergei Fedorov. No. 91 finally goes to the rafters at Little Caesars Arena, in a ceremony that will bring out generations of Red Wings legends and flood the building with emotion.
It’s a night this franchise has waited for — and one Hockeytown won’t forget.
Food for Thought 🤔
Was this the Red Wings’ most complete road game of the season — and does it signal another level for this group? Drop a comment below or join the conversation in the Red Wings Wheelhouse — where fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
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