Raymond scored late in 3rd and OT to keep the Red Wings playoff alive with a 5-4 win over the Canadiens.

DETROIT (AP) – Lucas Raymond scored with 25 seconds left in overtime to tie the game 1:17 after scoring the game-tying goal. Detroit Red Wings beat his team 5-4 Montreal Canadiens on Monday night, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

“Everything tonight gave us a chance,” said J.T. Compher, who scored two goals to cut Detroit's deficit. “All of that allowed us to get the job done.”

The Red Wings are in the playoffs if they win in Montreal and Washington loses in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

Detroit coach Derek LaLonde said his team exceeded preseason expectations and has a chance to make the playoffs in the final game of the regular season.

“He's here now,” he said. “It's going to be a challenge.”

Detroit pulled within two in overtime before Raymond's shot from the right rim sailed past Sam Montembo, sparking a celebration with every teammate on the ice and screaming fans in the stands.

“Honestly, I'm upset,” Raymond said.

Brendan Gallagher scored twice and Montembo stopped 30 shots as they scored two early goals to take a 4-1 lead late in the second period.

Compher scored the Red Wings midway through the first period and scored again late in the second period to cut their deficit in half. Alex DeBrincat made it 4-3 midway through the third period.

“They had some goals, some Octopus on the ice and the building really got going,” Gallagher said. “They are desperate.”

Detroit gave up two goals on Alex Lyon's first three shots, allowed two more in the second period and finished with 17 saves against a team far from playoff contention.

The Red Wings have been to 25 straight postseason appearances third longest run in NHL history and the streak ended in 2016 when they played at Joe Louis Arena. Fans eager to cheer on a playoff team again filled Little Caesars Arena for their final home game of the season.

Gallagher's first goal was scored by Lane Hutson, a 20-year-old defenseman from Holland, Michigan, in his NHL debut.

“It's very special to have my whole family here,” said Hutson, a 2022 second-round pick.

Justin Barron scored for the Canadians two minutes later.

Rafael Harvey-Pinard restored Montreal's two-goal lead early in the second period, and Gallagher's second goal made it 4-1 late in the period.

“We did a really good job of silencing the crowd for most of the game,” Gallagher said.

The Canadiens have missed three straight playoff appearances after losing in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final and are aiming to avoid a third consecutive Metropolitan Division finish.

NEXT UP

The Red Wings and Canadiens close out the regular season on Tuesday night in Montreal.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl