Well, that could have gone better. A home-and-home with a Montreal Canadiens team that is the Red Wings’ direct competitor for the only realistic playoff spot they’re chasing – the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic – not only extended Detroit’s losing streak, it’s now put everyone on high alert at Little Caesars Arena.



It was six periods of hockey to send the Canadiens a message and, boy, did they ever.



“The last five periods have been the worst five periods of hockey we’ve played this year,” Red Wings GM Ken Holland said during a Sunday evening phone conversation, after Detroit lost 10-1 on Saturday and 6-3 on Thursday. “We didn’t compete. We didn’t play smart, didn’t dig in. Certainly very disappointing.”



To say the least.



And so the hopes of gaining a foothold in the playoff race during the friendliest part of their schedule are now dashed. Up next on Tuesday is a...