For the second game in a row, the Montreal Canadiens found themselves behind by multiple goals, having to storm back into the game to win in extra time. The Winnipeg Jets were owning Saturday night’s game up until their third goal early in the second period, and the Habs had quite the uphill battle that they eventually took to, and won in, a shootout. If nothing else, the fight that they showed in the second half of the game was very encouraging.
Even more encouraging, Kaiden Guhle was a key player in the comeback, in just his first game back from injury.
This was essentially a shorthanded goal, though it won’t be credited as such. Guhle’s rush up ice came just as a Canadiens penalty was expiring, and he somehow willed the puck over to Joel Armia for a pivotal goal that was the turning point in this game. It was also Guhle’s second helper of the night, having assisted on Justin Barron’s first period goal as well.
Guhle was arguably the best player on the ice in that game, and the Habs’ coaching staff clearly noticed the level of play he was bringing, with his 25-plus minutes of ice time leading the team. It was about as perfect as a first game back from injury can be, inspiring confidence that he is very ready to put it behind him and get back to leading this team’s blue line.
That could be incredibly important given that Mike Matheson left that same game with an injury of his own, and may have to miss a few games as a result. This team will need Guhle at his best, and he appears fully recovered and ready to be the go-to blue liner moving forward.
Click the play button below to listen to your full Bottom Six Minutes, also available wherever you get your podcasts. We’ll be back after a late game on Monday night when the Habs travel to Las Vegas to take on the Golden Knights.
