The Red Wings scored four times in the first eight minutes – Marco Kasper (3:22), J.T. Compher (3:33), Alex DeBrincat (6:16 on the power play) and Patrick Kane (7:53) and were on cruise control the rest of the way.

Upon his arrival, Todd McLellan revitalized Detroit's spirit, but with the Red Wings sputtering again, can he pull the same trick again?

As the Red Wings reach the midway point, let's assess each player based on performance and expectations heading into this season.

The Detroit Red Wings believe in themselves again, says new head coach Todd McLellan. That has made all the difference in the world.

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

The biggest thing is they have a sense of belief,” McLellan said. “How we got to believing where we can play with anybody, I’m not sure. We just started chipping away at