Montreal Canadiens vs. Detroit Red Wings: 3 things to watch

Ben Scrivens starts and David Desharnais returns to the lineup in the third of four meetings between the original six teams this season.

Both teams are out of playoff position, however the Wings have a foot in the door while the Habs are the next town over.

It comes down to the size of the fight in the dogtonightas the Wings start a three-game homestead looking to secure a Wild Card spot.

Game time is 7:30 p.m. ET.

Which dog has more fight?

Tanking is simply not an option in Montreal.

Yes, many would love the improved lottery placement, but the Canadiens have passed the baton to theyoung studs who have performed admirably with the weight of Habs nation on theirbacks.

The Canadiens went full Robertsons (Duck DynastyAnyone? Anyone?) on Anaheim this week while the Red Wings missed out on a chance to secure their playoff position with a lacklustre loss to Tampa Bay.

If the Wings want to muscle out the Flyers for that final playoff spot, they are going to have to bring a better effort against lowly teams like the Habs who they face again in Montrealnext Tuesday.

DD in Detroit

As we await the return of star defenceman P.K. Subban, forward David Desharnais appears to be ready to go.

Desharnais will slide right back into the centerman position between Stefan Matteau and Michael McCarron.

Sven Andrighetto has also been cleared to play, but it looks like he will remain parked in the press box for at least another game.

The Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Byron line remains intact after looking pretty tight against the Ducks andTuesday'sfirst star Mike Brown stays on the flank of Phillip Danault with Lucas Lessio looking to impress on the left wing.

Michigan's McCarron packs the Joe

Through this rough season, one of the few bright spots has been the play of Michael McCarron.

He is big and he's looked big,making space for his linemates and dropping the gloves if someone even looks sideways at one of his teammates.

Now, the kid from Macomb Township in Michigan will be able to show his friends and family firsthand the NHL player he is growing into.

He apparently has between 40 to50 people going to watch him play at Joe Louis Arenatonight.

It will be a special night for Red Wings Anthony Mantha as well.

Originally fromLongueuil,Manthawas called up about a week ago and this will be his home debut.

One of the family members in attendance will be his grandfather, Red Wings alumAndre Pronovost.

Grandad began his NHL career with the Canadiens, played for the Wings from 1962 to 1965 and has four (!) Stanley Cup rings.

Mantha wears number39 if you want to see how thick that hockey blood runs.