Alex DeBrincat's late goal lifts Red Wings to dramatic win over Canadiens

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News on Mar 19, 2026

Published in Hockey

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DETROIT — In the most important games of the season thus far, the Detroit Red Wings are showing their mettle.

Alex DeBrincat's goal at 16 minutes, 35 seconds of the third period broke a tie and sent the Red Wings to a 3-1 victory Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens.

DeBrincat swiped the puck from defenseman Mike Matheson, drove alone to the net, and backhanded a shot past goaltender Jakub Dobes for DeBrincat's 34th goal.

Andrew Copp, returning to the lineup after missing three games to injury, scored an empty net goal.

The victory enabled the Wings to keep pace in the Atlantic Division and wild-card race, with the Wings, Montreal and the Boston Bruins all with 84 points. Boston defeated the Winnipeg Jets, giving the Bruins 84 points.

The Wings host Boston Saturday at Little Caesars Arena.

J.T. Compher's 10th goal, at 2:14 of the third period, tied the game 1-1. Patrick Kane's shot from far out bounced off Dobes and defenseman Noah Dobson, then Compher, before knuckling into the net.

Juraj Slafkovsky's power-play goal in the second period gave Montreal a 1-0 lead. Slafkovsky snapped a puck that squirted to him near the hashmarks and beat goaltender John Gibson at 17:45, Slafkovsky's 25th goal, giving Montreal a 1-0 lead.

The Wings had two power-play opportunities in the second period and failed to convert, a growing problem. Over the last five games, the Wings are 1 for 12 on the power play.

The Wings are still without captain Dylan Larkin (lower-body), as well as Michael Rasmussen and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, both out with undisclosed injuries.

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