DET@MTL: Oh, what a night!

MONTREAL - Tomas Plekanec's 1,000th career NHL game played out exactly the way he'd hoped it would on Monday night. In fact, it might've even exceeded his expectations.

Not only did the Canadiens thump the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 7-3 at the Bell Centre, but Plekanec also registered his first goal of the season in the process.
And, the ovation the 35-year-old veteran centerman received at one point during the contest was nothing short of awesome.
In short, it was a game to remember for Plekanec, who has sported a Canadiens uniform for all but 17 contests.
"It was special. I've been here for so long and the crowd is unbelievable here. I love to play here in the Bell Centre and you just heard it again tonight," said Plekanec, following the Canadiens' second straight victory. "I would never have dreamed of something like that when I started here in 2005-06. It's been a hell of a ride."

It certainly has been, with Plekanec becoming just the 12th Habs player to reach the 1,000-game plateau, joining the likes of Jean Beliveau, Henri Richard, Frank Mahovlich, Larry Robinson and Bob Gainey - and being the first since Hal Gill in October 2011 to accomplish the feat in Canadiens colors.
Plekanec was also just the second player in his 2001 NHL Draft class to reach the impressive mark after Dan Hamhuis, and the 11th native of the Czech Republic to do so as well.
His teammates couldn't have been prouder to celebrate the achievement alongside him.
"We knew this was a huge game for our group and a huge game for him. Anyone that plays 1,000 games, it's pretty special. It's very hard to do that, and we have so much respect for him as a player and as a person, and we're also happy for him," praised Max Domi. "He deserves every bit of credit he's going to get. It was cool to be a part of, and hopefully he plays 1,000 more."

Like Plekanec, Domi was in awe of the ovation reserved for the man affectionately known as "Pleky."
"He's sacrificed so much for this city and so much for this team, and he wears his heart on his chest every single night," added Domi. "To see him rewarded like he was tonight by the fans was well-deserved."

For Jonathan Drouin, who admired Plekanec growing up, being able to play with him on such a momentous occasion was huge.
"I remember when I was a kid, I watched him on TV back in the Kovalev and Kostitsyn years. It's special for me to experience that moment with him," mentioned Drouin. "He played the majority of his games with the Canadiens, so it's a real accomplishment."
Scoring, scoring and more scoring
Speaking of Drouin, he was the lone Canadiens player to register a multi-goal game on Monday night with his first two goals of the 2018-19 campaign.
That included finding the back of the net on a penalty shot to open the scoring in the first period.

Then, the Canadiens' offense exploded up and down the lineup with 14 different players picking up points against a Red Wings squad that is still desperately looking for their first win of the season.
It was Tomas Tatar who led the way offensively with his second consecutive three-point effort (1g - 2a), picking up right where he left off against the Pittsburgh Penguins over the weekend.

Postgame photos speak volumes
Domi wasn't the only player to post a photograph with Plekanec on social media after the final buzzer.
Tatar joined in on the fun, too. And, we really, really, really love that!

Congratulations on a wonderful game, Tomas! Well done!