Montreal @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 8, 2019 ) Montreal 3, Detroit 2

The road has not been kind to the Montreal Canadiens of late as they have lost all five of their games away from home in February. Montreal hopes to post a road win in its final contest of the month as it continues its four-game trek Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings.

The Canadiens began their road trip with a 6-3 loss in Toronto on Saturday before dropping a 2-1 decision at New Jersey two nights later. Paul Byron scored a short-handed goal to extend his point streak to five games, but Montreal wasted an opportunity to strengthen its hold on the first wild card in the Eastern Conference as it remained one point ahead of Carolina and Pittsburgh for the spot. Detroit hopes to salvage the finale of its five-game homestand on which it fell to 0-3-1 with Sunday's 5-3 loss to San Jose. The Red Wings' overall slide reached five contests (0-3-2) with the setback, which marked the end of Gustav Nyquist's tenure with the club as the 29-year-old Swede - who began his career in the Motor City in 2011-12 - was traded to the Sharks just a few hours after scoring a goal against the team he will be joining.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN2, RDS (Montreal), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (33-23-7): Montreal made just one trade prior to the deadline Monday, acquiring Jordan Weal from Arizona for Michael Chaput. The 26-year-old Weal recorded one goal and one assist in 19 games with the Coyotes after being obtained Jan. 11 from Philadelphia, for which he netted three tallies and set up six others in 28 contests. Dale Weise, who is on his second tour of duty with the club after coming over in a deal with the Flyers earlier this month, was recalled from Laval of the American Hockey League on Monday but was a healthy scratch against the Devils.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (23-31-9): Madison Bowey is expected to make his team debut against Montreal after being acquired from Washington on Friday. The 23-year-old defenseman recorded a goal and five assists in 33 games with the Capitals this season after setting up 12 tallies over 51 contests as a rookie last campaign. Jimmy Howard will be available Tuesday after missing two games with an illness, prompting the team to assign Harri Sateri to Grand Rapids of the AHL.

OVERTIME

1. Red Wings LW Thomas Vanek (hip) missed the loss to the Sharks and did not participate in Monday's practice.

2. Montreal LW Tomas Tatar failed to land on the scoresheet Monday, ending his three-game goal-scoring streak and four-game point run.

3. Detroit C Dylan Larkin has collected six of his team-leading 61 points over his last three games.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 4, Red Wings 1