First period
- Kaiden Guhle jumps up into the slot on his first shift to keep the possession alive, then hits the post from the blue line moments later. It seems he took that shutout on Saturday personally.
- This feels like one of the first games of an NHL pre-season now, complete with the murmur of a disinterested crowd.
- And the running clock.
- Juraj Slafkovský takes three whacks at the puck in the crease, but Elvis Merzlikins turns them all aside. Guhle helped set that sequence up as well.
- I think Justin Barron is enjoying his time with his new defence partner, seeing a lot more of the offensive zone.
- The pace is yet to pick up. Almost like both teams are playing for their point. Which is fine since the Canadiens have another game tomorrow.
- Josh Anderson made a critical defensive play to cut off a pass and prevent a high-danger chance.
- Cole Caufield sends a pass right to the stick of Zach Werenski, but Samuel Montembeault is alert to make a quick glove save.
- Great patience by Brendan Gallagher to wait for Alex Newhook to get behind the defence before making a pass, but Newhook was too close to Merzlikins to do anything with the redirect.
- The Columbus goalie has to fire out the pad to deny Johnny Kovacevic from scoring a fourth goal in six games.
- Columbus pulls off two passes on a two-on-one, but Yegor Chinakhov hits Montembeault with the shot despite a wide-open net.
- The Blue Jackets pass the puck. It’s picked off. Montreal gives it right back. It’s been that kind of game.
- The horn sounds after a quick opening period (in terms of actual time, not pace). A couple of big saves for each goalie, and not a whole lot else in the opening 20 minutes.
- Sportsnet is probably regretting making this a national game.
Second period
- The first shift is as good for Montreal as the one to open the game. Can they built some momentum off this one?
- Sean Kuraly pokes at Montembeault, and suddenly this doesn’t feel like a pre-season game anymore.
- The official puts an end to the physical play by sending a player form each team to the penalty box and having the game remain at even strength, with a little bit more room to work at four-on-four.
- Patrik Laine picks up a puck while the Canadiens are making an ill-timed line change, and says ‘thank you very much’ as all the defenders before him bail off the ice to give him a breakaway. His shot trickles through Montembeault for the game’s opening goal.
- Newhook takes his man down and drops his shoulders expecting a penalty. When none comes, he races away down the ice, first hitting the post on a two-on-one, then scoring a few moments later off a redirected pass from Nick Suzuki.
- Seven goals for Newhook gives him sole possession of the team lead. Guhle also had an assist on the play.
- The cannon fires again for Chinakhov after a giveaway from Guhle, so that plus gets scrubbed. Montembeault couldn’t cover all three Blue Jackets who were suddenly in prime scoring position.
- Maybe are these giveaways are the Canadiens’ way of saying they want to play in blue jerseys again?
- Another two-on-one materializes out of nowhere. Montembeault makes the save on this one.
- It proves to be a big one as the Canadiens convert on the one they receive soon afterward thanks to a breakout pass from Slafkovský. Christian Dvorak decides to keep on a two-on-one with Caufield, but the rebound stays around the crease for Caufield to put in.
- I did say last goal wins in the preview.
- The Dvorak line has been energized by its goal. One of the best shifts we’ve seen in some time for them on their next one after the goal.
- Montembeault sees exactly what’s going on, and quickly sends a Columbus dump-in up the ice as they change to give Joel Armia an open look from the blue line.
- I don’t think the Canadiens are just settling for their points anymore.
- That period was a lot more fun. Even a few more claps from the fans in attendance.
Third period
- Three for three on fast starts to periods. That intermission speech is working, if only temporarily.
- Guhle finds some quiet ice to set up for another chance, but once again hits the post.
- A long defensive shift for Montreal, but Montembeault had every shot covered.
- With scouts from Edmonton in attendance, it might be important to remember that St-Louis announced several days ago that Montembeault would be getting this start.
- The first power play of the night goes to Columbus after Gutav Lindström sent the puck over the glass. A power play operating at 11.1% hits the ice.
- The defence evaporates, but Montembeault’s cat-like reflexes do not. Still a 2-2 game.
- It wasn’t pretty, but the penalty is killed.
- Caufield picks off a pass and decides to uncork a wrist shot from 30 feet out. It pounds off the end glass, hopefully right where that person was banging on it earlier.
- Montembeault very calmly makes a save and leaves the puck where two teammates have the chance to pick it up and skate with it. They both panic and make mad swipes at it, trying to knock it out of danger. Montembeault can’t help but give a little confused shrug.
- Mike Matheson unleashes a slapshot from the point. Joel Armia gets his leg out of the way, but wisely leaves his stick in the path of the shot, deflecting it behind Merzlikins for a late Habs lead.
- This one is sealed by a Lindström empty-netter, scored with the Habs set up in Columbus’s zone with Merzlikins on the bench.
- Montreal left home with a 7-8-2 record and returns home with a 10-10-2 mark. Not often the Canadiens gain ground on a long road trip.
EOTP 3 Stars
3) No power plays and a regulation win? Thanks, refs.
2) That line had some excellent shifts
1) More like Powderhorse, am i right?
