For our new readers and members, the Top Six Minutes is a continuation of the discussion in the game thread. We try to keep it light and entertaining. Full recaps are up the morning after every game.
Pre-game
- Carey Price, who said he was going to the NHL All-Star Game last week after shutting out the Vancouver Canucks, is now not going to the NHL All-Star Game. It makes a lot of sense, considering he’s just returned from injury. But it’s fascinating to me because last week he said he was “planning on going”. My take? Sitting the All-Star Game is probably the best move for him.
- Marc Bergevin spoke to the media pre-game, and this makes me wonder…which Habs will be sold at the deadline? /
To that Bergevin later adds he’s already thought about the possibility of trading away veterans for future assets at the deadline and said it’s a possibility.
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) January 7, 2019
- Finally, David Schlemko is on waivers. Still thinking about it. Quite a few pre-game thoughts this time around for myself.
- The Canadiens didn’t do well on the penalty kill the last time they played Minnesota. /
First period
- And away we go.
- Eric Fehr looks hurt after that Kenny Agostino hit from behind after Fehr passes the puck off the board.
- Is it suspension worthy? I’m not sure. But it looks like Agostino’s going to the dressing room early. Five minutes and a game.
- Max Domi has a cut on his face after being hit by a puck.
- Shea Weber has a cut on his face after being hit by a puck.
- Carey Price making save after save on this penalty kill.
- Habs power play still firing blanks. They’ve tried this similar play a couple times. Forward comes up the half way, tries to make a pass to a forward in the slot, who’s covered by a defenseman, pucks rings around the board and to the point. Repeat. To their credit, they’ve tried to generate offense from the wings and not just from the blue line. Just, no dice to this point.
- The shot counter at one point was 7-2 Minnesota, and now it’s 11-8 in favour of Montreal.
- Devan Dubnyk’s looked alright against the Habs so far. /
Canadiens turn the puck over FOUR STRAIGHT TIMES in their own end and somehow get a power play out of it. Outstanding.
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) January 8, 2019
Second period
- The puck drops. Score is still 0-0.
- Habs still can’t figure this power play thing out. Extremely sloppy play to lose the puck at the blue line.
- Carey Price just did a no-no by controlling the puck in the corner. I’ve seen that happen more in EA Sports NHL than IRL NHL.
- Minnesota is missing Matt Dumba, who probably would’ve had a power play goal by now.
- Jeff Petry can score (8g), provide assists (21a), and is top-15 in the league in hits. Not bad.
- Shea Weber still isn’t on the Canadiens bench after taking a puck to the face. There’s a lot of tweets on the timeline about how the puck felt pain, but Weber’s definitely in some pain.
- Aaaaaand the Canadiens announce Weber won’t be back for the rest of the game.
- Jason Zucker should have buried that goal after that golden opportunity. Petry slips and falls and Zucker is all alone with Price. But, he misses wide. Neither team can buy a goal right now. /
Third period
- No one’s scored yet. Not even a disallowed goal. Let’s get ‘er going.
- Just got a text from a friend of mine: “This game is boring”. I don’t think he’s wrong.
- Delayed penalty and the fans don’t like it. Goaltender interference against for the former Minnesota Wild d-man Mike Reilly.
- Jeff Petry with ANOTHER brutal turnover. This time, Mikael Granlund scores. Carey Price’s vision is blocked by Jordan Greenway too. 1-0 Minnesota.
- Outside of the Petry mistake turned Granlund goal, Price has kept his team in it.
- Kotkaniemi turnover, Wild get another chance. They don’t score though. Still 1-0.
- At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if the game ended 2-0 for Minnesota or went to overtime tied 1-1.
- Habs and Wild both take penalties. Max Domi and Greg Pateryn (hello, old friend) go to the box.
- Jonathan Drouin skates around the offensive zone, tries to find Jeff Petry at the point and…it leaves the zone. Petry’s had a night to forget it seems.
- And he almost redeemed himself with the toe drag shot.
- Extra attacker and the Canadiens try to get to work. Six-on-five.
- 1-0 is your final. Minnesota gets all two points! /
Highlight of the night
What a battle from Price to keep the puck out. Young goalies take note #Habs pic.twitter.com/u7YmUnZ3VP
— Shayne Pasquino (@shaynepasquino) January 8, 2019
EOTP 3 Stars
3) You had to use your cell phone in a private room?
2) Nice use of a meme right here
1) Keep that alignment in the playbook if the Habs ever need to protect a one-goal lead
