PREVIEW: Embracing quick turnaround, Detroit looks to bounce back in Montreal on Saturday

MONTREAL -- Wrapping up a back-to-back home-and-home set, the Detroit Red Wings will take on the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre on Saturday night.

Detroit (13-15-4; 30 points) and Montreal (13-16-3; 29 points) are set to drop the puck at 7 p.m., with broadcast coverage on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Extra and the Red Wings Radio Network (97.1 The Ticket in Detroit). After Saturday’s game, the Atlantic Division and Original Six rivals won’t meet again until Jan. 23 at Little Caesars Arena.

On Friday, Tyler Motte scored to put the Red Wings ahead 3-2 early in the third period, but the Canadiens went on to net two unanswered goals – one at even strength from Arber Xhekaj and one on the power play from Patrik Laine – over the game’s final 11:18 in an eventual 4-3 setback at Little Caesars Arena.

“We’ve just got to capitalize on our chances, play with a little more intensity and minimize our mistakes,” Detroit captain Dylan Larkin said. “They get a little bit off the rush, but you look at the goals they score and there were just some key breakdowns.

“A lot of it we talk about---breaking the puck out well, coming back to the house and stopping, puck management. We clean those things up and play with a little more intensity…we get to play those guys again [on Saturday night]. That’s the best part about this is the quick turnaround.”

Patrick Kane’s fifth goal of the season got the Red Wings on the board in the first period on Friday, stretching the 35-year-old forward’s point streak to three consecutive games. During his current streak, Kane has collected four points on two goals and two assists.

On the season, Kane has 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 27 games.

“Obviously, exciting finish,” Detroit head coach Derek Lalonde said about Kane’s goal on Friday. “Obviously, they had some looks. Trying to get them out in some certain situations, provide some offense. Unfortunately, the tying goal found them again. I don’t want that group to get in a trading goals scenario because you’re going to have up-and-down play.”

Joe Veleno scored Detroit’s second goal on Friday, tipping in Jeff Petry’s shot in the final minute of the second period. According to Larkin, those are the greasy goals that the Red Wings need more of to pocket two points in Montreal.

“[On Saturday night] we need to create bounces for ourselves,” Larkin said. “That’s getting bodies to the net, like these guys (motions to Michael Rasmussen) with Joe and Petey. Just simple hockey and creating good bounces for yourself.”