First period
- I think we have a rookie centre-ice camera operator for this game. Zooms and pans are quite janky.
- Christian Dvorak must have seen Matt’s last BSM because he just had a good shift in the offensive zone.
- The good part about a slow, plodding start is less time for Garry Galley to speak.
- Back in the lineup, Arber Xhekaj is called for a penalty on a push in the corner. Another reputation call I feel.
- Once again, the penalty-killers are perfectly positioned and defending the passing lanes. No shots against. Maybe they should just play all the time in their zone with four players and have the fifth cherry-picking at the other end.
- About 13 minutes into the game, I don’t think the Canadiens have connected a single pass.
- The first completed transfer of the puck is a pass from Nick Suzuki to Xhekaj, and his heavy one-timer nearly squeaks through Alex Nedeljkovic.
- Juraj Slafkovský makes a nice move to his forehand, but his shot is denied.
- Mike Matheson turns the puck over on the wall, and seconds later the puck is in the net. Sidney Crosby adds goal number 596 of his career.
- David Savard passes the puck … outside of the offensive zone.
- Another breakout attempt is intercepted and becomes a scoring chance. The team just can’t help setting up the opposition.
- A dull first period ends with the Penguins up 1-0. I didn’t think I’d be using that adjective this season.
Second period
- I think St-Louis’s shift from the players’ coach who went with the flow and spoke with them like a peer to one who calls out his players in public may have been too sudden a shift.
- Cole Caufield comes out of the intermission and gives an encouraging pat on the head to Dvorak and Josh Anderson.
- Crosby sets up Rickard Rakell in the opening minute and Samuel Montembeault needs a big save to keep it at 1-0.
- Lane Hutson’s stick breaks on a breakout pass. The puck is just fated to stay in Montreal’s zone all season.
- It’s difficult to watch this team after seeing the Laval Rocket play in the afternoon.
- Lane Hutson didn’t even get into the offensive zone on the first power play with a 95-second shift for the first unit followed by a clear down the ice.
- I really don’t know how Montreal has got up to 11 shots on goal midway through this game.
- A deflected point shot goes off Montembeault’s crossbar.
- Anderson makes a nice cross-ice pass to Kapanen for a great chance, but the rookie can’t score his first.
- Newhook misses the new by a significant margin from the top of the circle.
- There are signs of life!
- Joel Armia takes a high stick, and that means another power play.
- The second unit starts.
- But it doesn’t accomplish much either.
- Two long-distance shots were all they could muster.
- This game has a long way to go to get the 5-4 score you’d expect from these teams.
- Dvorak chips the puck out on a penalty kill, skates after it, and gets a shot. He’s looked pretty good tonight.
- Arber Xhekaj speared Michael Bunting after the whistle. That might mean some more supplmental discipline for The Sheriff.
- Crosby scores his second of the night in the final seconds of the power play.
- At least Montreal is on pace to hold the Penguins to three goals or less that I had put forward as the defensive goal today.
Third period
- St-Louis shuffles his lines once again. I fear he’s turning into Michel Therrien.
- An effective early shift from the top line, which now includes Kirby Dach.
- Dvorak’s strong game continues as he gets the Habs on the board with a rebound shot. Juraj Slafkovský created the play with pressure on the boards.
- The Penguins hit the post on a wraparound chance that went through Montembeault’s legs.
- Brendan Gallagher feels some temporary knee pain as he gets checked to the ice and gets up yelling at anyone in the vicinity. Maybe that’s the spark.
- Noel Acciaru throws his upper arm into Slafkovský’s face. It seems Acciari was hurt the most in the collision, but Slafkovský is off to the room to undergo the concussion protocol no doubt.
- Poor Hutson. Another great chance for his first goal goes off the post. He must have four by now
- The Penguins are set up in Montreal’s zone with the net empty. The puck stays out.
- Mike Matheson makes a drop pass on the blue line to Hutson, and that doesn’t work. Now the Penguins hit the empty net to make it 3-1.
- Unhappy with Acciari’s hit on Slafkovský, the Habs go after him as time expires.
EOTP 3 Stars
3) Any minute now one will get through
2) Tuesday game thread will have a Mrs. Two Sheds cooking stream
1) We’re all feeling tired for a different reason
