Surprising division co-leading Canadiens, Wings set for clash

While both teams were expected to be greatly improved, not many people picked the Montreal Canadiens or the Detroit Red Wings to win the Atlantic Division this season.

But three months into the season, both teams have put themselves in prime position for a division title. On Saturday, they'll face off against with 56 points apiece and with first place on the line for the Red Wings and host Canadiens.

"Obviously, we got a big game tomorrow, so try to turn the page here pretty quickly," Red Wings star Patrick Kane said of the pending game. "It's a battle for first place. Not much more needs to be said than that."

Both teams come in playing some of their best hockey. The Canadiens have won three in a row and are 8-1-2 in their last 11. Perhaps no win during that span was more impressive than their last game, a 6-2 home blowout of the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers on Thursday.

Alexandre Texier recorded his first NHL hat trick, marking his second consecutive three-point game after scoring a goal and recording two assists against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.

Oliver Kapanen added a goal and two assists against Florida, while Juraf Slafkovsky scored a goal and recorded an assist. Sam Montembeault was up to the task in net with 25 saves.

"I thought it was one of our most complete back-to-back games," said Montreal captain Nick Suzuki. "Just really mature, taking what they're giving us. It was pretty much back-and-forth, forechecking and dumping pucks in and we just stuck to the game plan, got the lead and hung on, and it was a huge win against a division rival."

The Red Wings are standing in the way of the Canadiens notching another key division win. Like the Canadiens, the Red Wings come into Saturday's showdown on a hot streak.

Detroit has won two straight and is 7-2-1 in its last 10 games, relying on its top players over that stretch.

Kane scored twice in their last game against the Canucks to become the fifth NHL player born in the United States to score 500 goals.

"He's an American icon," Alex DeBrincat said. "He's the best to ever do it, and you just try to soak up as much as you can from guys like that."

J.T. Compher, Lucas Raymond and Axel Sandin-Pellikka each scored a goal and recorded an assist. For Raymond, the assist was his 300th NHL point in just 363 games, further establishing his star status in the league.

"We didn't get the start we wanted again," Detroit head coach Todd McLellan said. "We were short-handed 15 seconds into the game -- and that's not the way you want to be coming out of the gate. But the penalty kill was OK and then the 5-on-3 was important because it broke the ice and got us going."

This is the teams' second meeting. The Canadiens won 5-1 on the road on Oct. 9.