MONTREAL _ The Detroit Red Wings kept it close, forcing big saves from Carey Price in the third period.
Their performance Tuesday at Bell Centre was a good response after the previous outing, especially given how depleted the lineup is. But playing against a Montreal Canadiens team that is jockeying to secure a wild-card spot, the Wings came up short, 3-1.
With Columbus gaining two points by beating Boston, the regulation loss officially eliminated the Wings from the playoffs for a third straight season.
Wings goalie Jonathan Bernier did what he could to delay the elimination, playing an especially strong opening 20 minutes.
The Wings, already undermanned with Dylan Larkin (neck) and Mike Green (virus) sidelined, played with a short bench after Jonathan Ericsson was lost to injury in the first period.
Max Domi and Brett Kulak had made it 2-0 when Andreas Athanasiou scored 40 seconds into the third period, notching his 24th goal of the season. Price robbed Tyler Bertuzzi on a breakaway, following up with a huge save as Frans Nielsen tried for the rebound. Domi scored an empty-net goal with 49 seconds to play in regulation.
Bernier picked up where he'd left off in the third period Saturday at Tampa Bay with a terrific start against the Canadiens. He denied Andrew Shaw's wrist shot in the opening minute, and a net-front attempt by Tomas Tatar a minute later. Shea Weber, one of the hardest shooters in the NHL, tried a slap shot from the blue line, and a short-range shot during a power play. By the end of the period Bernier had 13 saves.
Ericsson had to be helped off the ice midway through the first period, after appearing to injure his right knee during a collision. Ericsson could barely get back on the Wings' bench. The team called it a lower-body injury. If it turns out to be serious _ and based on Ericsson's expression, he was in a lot of pain _ the Wings will have to call someone up, as they're down to six defensemen. Their defense corps already has been altered by the Feb. 22 trade of Nick Jensen, who played on the top shutdown pairing, and by top offensive defenseman Green being sidelined since March 5.
The Canadiens put on a very nice tribute to Ted Lindsay before the game, making note of his accomplishments and tremendous influence. Pictures of Lindsay, who passed away March 4, were shown on the Jumbotron, including one of his No. 7 banner hanging at Little Caesars Arena. It was perfectly done to no surprise: The Canadiens lead the way in appreciating legends of the game. They paid tribute to Gordie Howe, who died June 10, 2016, in the Wings' first game at Bell Centre of the 2016-17 season.
