Canadiens Blast Red Wings 73

Steve Bell

am800-sports-hockey-nhl-montreal-canadiens-red wings- detroit-1.8502391 MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 15: Matthew Peca #63 of the Montreal Canadiens falls as he tries to take a shot while goaltender Jonathan Bernier #45 of the Detroit Red Wings spreads himself wide along the ice during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on October 15, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) (Matthew Peca of the Canadiens takes a shot on goaltender Jonathan Bernier of the Red Wings during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on October 15, 2018 in Montreal. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images))

The slumping Wings are off to their worst start ever after losing in Montreal

Tomas Plekanec scored in his 1,000th NHL game as the Montreal Canadiens easily defeated the visiting Detroit Red Wings 7-3.

Jonathan Drouin also had a pair of goals on Monday night while Tomas Tatar, Brendan Gallagher, Charles Hudon and Paul Byron also scored for the Canadiens (3-1-1).

With Carey Price still out with the flu, backup goalie Antti Niemi stopped 25-of-28 shots for his second consecutive victory.

Andreas Athanasiou scored twice and Thomas Vanek added another for the rebuilding Wings (0-4-2), who are winless after six games this year their worst start to a season in franchise history.

Jimmy Howard conceded five goals on 20 shots before being replaced by Jonathan Bernier in the second period.

The Red Wings, who were coming off an 8-2 loss to Boston, have now allowed an NHL-worst 29 goals in six games.

Montreal has won six straight versus Detroit dating back to March 2017.