RECAP: Red Wings shut out Canadiens, 3-0, in season opener

DETROIT --Elmer Soderblom's NHL debut was one to remember.

Soderblom broke a scoreless tie in the third period with his first career goal for the Red Wings, who shut out the Montreal Canadiens, 3-0, on Friday night in the 2022-23 season opener in front of a sold-out Little Caesars Arena.
The Red Wings played an aggressive first period, outshooting the Canadiens, 25-10, but the game was scoreless through 40 minutes. Soderblom, who was Detroit's 159th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, put the Red Wings ahead, 1-0, early in the third, then Michael Rasmussen and Olli Maatta each scored empty-netters late in the frame, helping Derek Lalonde earn his first win as an NHL head coach.
Ben Chiarot, David Perron, Andrew Copp, Robert Hagg, Dominik Kubalik, Ville Husso and Maatta all made their Red Wings debuts Friday.
Husso stopped all 29 shots he faced for his fourth career shutout, his first with Detroit (1-0-0, 2 points). He became the first Red Wings goalie to post a shutout in his Detroit debut since 1953.

NEXT UP: The Red Wings will play the second leg of a back-to-back on Saturday night when they face the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY

Detroit 1, Montreal 0 (2:33, 3rd period)
After Rasmussen gathered a loose puck from behind Montreal's net, his wrap-around shot was blocked by Canadiens goalie Jake Allen. The rebound went to Soderblom in the slot, who fired it into the back of the net for the eventual game-winner. Oskar Sundqvist also recorded a helper on the goal.

Detroit 2, Montreal 0 (18:59, 3rd period)
Rasmussen, assisted by Copp and captain Dylan Larkin, doubled Detroit's lead with an empty-netter.

Detroit 3, Montreal 0 (19:12, 3rd period)
Maatta put the game away with an empty-netter, the Red Wings' second of the period. Rasmussen and Sundqvist were each credited with an assist on the goal.

QUOTABLE

Soderblom on scoring his first NHL goal with his parents in attendance
"It was hard to describe, but it was an unbelievable feeling...It was fun for them (parents) to see it live."
Husso on securing a win in his Red Wings debut
"It's nice to get a win right away. A lot of work to do still, but I think it helps a lot to come in and get a win."
Lalonde on the club's overall performance
"I liked the way we played. I'm more excited about the zero (goals allowed) than the three (goals scored), and the way we stuck with it."
Lalonde on the importance of the victory
"The important thing is, not only getting our first win, but getting it the right way. We played a complete game tonight."