Trailing 3-2, Daniel Sprong tied the game with a sharp angle goal (Sprong's 18th goal) at 3:31 of the third period, tying the game. Sprong shot from along the blue line and the puck trickled past goaltender Cayden Primeau.

Reimer stopped a partial breakaway on Nick Suzuki in the third period with the game tied and 14 minutes left in regulation time keeping the game tied.

But Slafkovsky's goal broke the tie and ultimately ended the Wings' season.

Moritz Seider and Joe Veleno had the other Wings goals.

Alex Newhook, Brendan Gallagher and Cole Caufield had Montreal's goals.

The Wings entered the final period trailing 3-2.

Gallagher gave Montreal a 2-1 lead early in the middle period.

Canadiens forward Joel Armia weaved his way into the zone and whistled a shot at Reimer that trickled past the goaltender and Gallagher — as he usually does, buzzing around the net — tapped the loose puck into the net for his 16th goal and third in the last two nights.

The goal appeared to ignite the Canadiens, who had dangerous chances throughout the period but Reimer was able to keep the puck out of the net.

At least until Caufield scored his 28th goal, at 10:09. Montreal's top line put together a dangerous shift and Slafkovsky, the 2023 first-overall draft pick, whistled a shot from the side that Reimer steered away, but Caufield was alone at the post to knock in the puck.

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