Dylan Larkin tallied a goal and an assist in his 700th game and the Red Wings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 at Little Caesars Arena. The Red Wings (22-21-5, 49 points) stopped a three-game slide (0-2-1) during which they scored just one goal each game.

Dylan Larkin had a power-play goal and an assist in his 700th career NHL game and the Detroit Red Wings snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens

In 16 games since McLellan took over, the Red Wings are 11-4-1, riding a three-game win streak as they prepare to head to western Canada on Wednesday. It’s not unusual to see a midseason coaching bring better results in the NHL, but now more than 30 days in, the Red Wings’ surge has lasted longer than a simple adrenaline rush.

Dylan Larkin notched a power-play goal and an assist in his 700th career game as the host Detroit Red Wings downed the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 on Thursday night.

Good starts like Thursday's vs. the Montreal Canadiens key to keeping the Detroit Red Wings in crowded Eastern Conference playoff race.

Talbot kept the Red Wings’ two-goal lead intact at 5:05 of the third period by shutting down Cole Caufield’s breakaway attempt. Detroit’s penalty kill also answered the call after the club unsuccessfully challenged for no goaltender interference just past the halfway mark of the frame.

Detroit captain Dylan Larkin takes center stage in his 700th career NHL game, powering his Red Wings to a badly needed victory over Montreal

It is fascinating to look at the NHL over the same period of time. Kasper is right behind Martin Necas and Nathan MacKinnon in scoring (both have 12 points). Following behind him are Quinn Hughes (11), Mark Stone (11), and Connor McDavid (11).

Raymond was doing fine before McLellan became Detroit Red Wings coach on Dec. 26. Since then, his game has reached another level. He has 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 16 games under McLellan. He ranks second in the NHL in points during this time, one behind Boston’s David Pastrnak.

A rebuild in the NHL can be a grueling process. With the patience needed to develop prospects, and decide whether to add or subtract to the team and what each offseason has to offer, there aren’t many situations for a team to be in that are more stressful than this.