Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson, center, celebrates his goal with Nick Suzuki (14) and Noah Dobson (53) against the Detroit Red Wings in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

By The Canadian Press

Canadiens score three first-period goals to spoil Red Wings’ season opener, 5-1

Oct 9, 2025 | 7:05 PM

DETROIT (AP) — Mike Matheson had a goal and an assist and the Montreal Canadiens spoiled Detroit’s season opener with a 5-1 victory over the Red Wings on Thursday night.

Zachary Bolduc, Oliver Kapanen, Alexandre Carrier and Juraj Slafkovsky also scored for the Canadiens, who bounced back from a 5-2, season-opening loss at Toronto on Wednesday night.

Brendan Gallagher and Nick Suzuki had two assists apiece, while Jakub Dobes made 30 saves.

Dylan Larkin scored on a first-period power play for the Red Wings.

Goaltender John Gibson, who was acquired from Anaheim in an offseason trade, had an inauspicious Detroit debut. He was pulled with 2:48 remaining in the second period after allowing Slafkovsky’s power-play goal off a rebound. Gibson made just eight saves on 13 shots before he was replaced by Cam Talbot.

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Matheson scored with 6.7 seconds left in the first period to give the Canadiens a 3-1 lead. He lifted a shot from the left side that eluded Gibson’s catching glove.

The Canadiens took advantage of Red Wings defensive breakdowns to score their first two goals.

Bolduc, who also had a goal at Toronto, converted on a breakaway. Kapanen scored in front off a pass from Alex Newhook on a two-on-one break to give Montreal a 2-1 lead.

Carrier scored on a slap shot from the point at 5:19 of the second period. Slafkovsky’s goal off a rebound gave the Canadiens a 5-1 advantage.

Up next

Canadiens: Visit Chicago on Saturday night.

Red Wings: Host Toronto on Saturday night.

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

Dana Gauruder, The Associated Press