First period
- I think “Go Habs Go!” is louder than “Go Flames Go!” to start this one.
- Montreal is cycling the puck well early.
- David Savard tries to throw the puck on net from the point, and it catches Emil Heineman just in front of the ear. That one hurts, I’m sure.
- Cole Caufield is the best player on the ice right now, offensively and defensively. He even laid a big hit along the boards on a backcheck.
- Jakub Dobes makes a save on Yegor Sharangovich and isn’t in position to stop the rebound — but he does anyway with an acrobatic recovery on a sliding kick save.
- The Flames are beginning to register a lot of shots on Dobes, and more that the Canadiens are blocking.
- A turnover from Owen Beck forces Arber Xhekaj into a penalty, so the PK will go to work.
- Montreal gained some momentum off the good kill and nos is the team holding the possession.
- The period ends with shots 9-4 for Calgary. Montreal needs to find a way to get the puck to the slot in the second period, but there’s a reason why Calgary is one of the top defensive clubs.
Second period
- Montreal already has several attempts 90 seconds into the second period. They’ve made their adjustments.
- It’s a good thing there are two days off following this game; the Habs are fighting hard for every step they take.
- Dustin Wolf comes up big on several point-blank chances. Montreal could have easily opened the scoring there.
- Joel Armia didn’t like Kevin Rooney holding him back from playing the puck in his feet, so he put his shoulder into him and knocked him to the ice. Problem solved.
- The good cycling from the Habs this period leads to a power play. It is the omnipresent Caufield who gets tripped trying to take the puck to the net. He’s been excellent.
- Given how hard five-on-five space has been to come by, Montreal needs to take advantage here.
- They didn’t manage to get any shots on the power play despite holding the puck in the offensive zone for most of the two minutes.
- I’d say they’re close to scoring, but even if they can get shots through, they still have to solve Wolf.
- Owen Beck connects with Anderson on a pass right through the feet of a Flames defender, but there’s Wolf to make the save.
- The Flames string together a couple of offensive-zone shifts, and Joel Farabee is the first to open the scoring.
- Montreal’s top line puts in the best shift with Hutson backing it, but the Habs can’t find a tying goal.
- Hutson stays on the ice as the next line comes out and draws a tripping call on Jonathan Huberdeau along the wall.
- No quick goal, but the Canadiens will have 1:44 of power-play time in the third period.
Third period
- Hutson completes a give-and-go on the boards to create a two-on-one. He sends the puck to Caufield at the side of the net, but the puck refuses to go in for #13.
- Heineman blasts a puck off the inside of Joel Hanley’s foot, and the former Canadiens defenceman is later shown crawling behind the Flames’ bench waiting for the pain to dissipate.
- Montreal is getting nothing from Christian Dvorak’s shifts because he keeps sending the puck right to the stick of Flames players.
- Dobes does some more breakdancing in the crease, and it’s effective at keeping the deficit at just one.
- The Flames are just sitting back now and hoping Wolf can secure the shutout. It’s working so far.
- Montreal is just peppering the front of the net with shots now.
- Farabee misses an open net, and that will keep Montreal alive in this game.
- Caufield splits the defence and goes in one-on-one with Wolf, but he tries to make his shot too perfect and hooked the puck over the net. Wolf will do that to even a guy on pace for more than 40 goals.
- Montreal has 3:30 to find a tying goal.
- The Habs almost got a goal as Suzuki’s flubbed shot went off the skate of Hanley, but Wolf’s pad was there to make the stop.
- Montreal can’t get another great chance, and the game finished 1-0 Calgary.
- Two days off now, and then a back-to-back in Vancouver and Seattle.
EOTP 3 Stars
3) This is your blueprint, Maple Leafs
2) He’s still lacking proper form, but he’s looking better lately
1) This type of effort will lead to good results over the remainder of this trip.
