Red Wings start season on losing note, falling to Canadiens, 5-1

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News on Oct 9, 2025

Published in Hockey

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DETROIT — As season openers go, this was a dud.

The crowd was energized, the atmosphere was magical as the Red Wings begin their 100th season, and there was excitement about the Wings' three rookies in the lineup.

Then, the game started Thursday and the Wings lost to Montreal, 5-1.

Dylan Larkin scored 3 minutes, 50 seconds into the game, on the power play, giving the Wings a 1-0 lead. That was pretty much the highlight of the evening. There wasn't much good after that.

Zachary Bolduc, Oliver Kapanen, Mike Matheson, Alexandre Carrier and Juraj Slafkovsky (power play) scored Montreal goals.

Goaltender John Gibson's Wings' debut was forgettable. Gibson didn't get much help in front of him — similar to the last preseason game — but allowed five goals on 13 shots before being replaced by Cam Talbot.

The boo birds grew in number after Montreal's fifth goal, Slafkovsky's goal that made it 5-1, and serenaded the Wings off the ice after the second period. It was even worse after the game.

A potential question mark heading into the season, the defense's third-pair of Albert Johansson and Travis Hamonic were on the ice for three Montreal goals.

Rookies Emmitt Finnie (one shot on net), Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (five hits, minus-two rating) and Axel Sandin-Pellikka (22 minutes of ice time) didn't get on the scoresheet and didn't make the impact they did throughout the preseason.

The Wings continue the homestand Saturday hosting Toronto.