The Canadian stumbles in Chicago

The Montreal Canadiens fell back to earth against the worst team in the National Hockey League.

Nick Foligno scored two goals, Arvid Soderblom stopped 38 shots and the Blackhawks defeated the Habs 4-2 on Friday in Chicago.

CH had won its previous three games against three of the last four Stanley Cup champions. The Blackhawks, who had lost their last five games and started the day in last place on the Bettman circuit, slowed down the momentum of Martin St-Louis’ protégés by seizing their opportunities a little more.

I thought we played well. We had a great start, but it was a shame to take two penalties and it brought them to lifesummarized St-Louis.

The Montreal squad reached 40 shots on goal for the first time this season.

If we keep playing like this, we’re going to win more than we’re going to loseadded St-Louis.

Soderblom had a say in the victory with several spectacular saves.

The Canadian was without forward Patrik Laine (flu symptoms) and defender David Savard (upper body). Michael Pezzetta, who played his first match since October 27, and Jayden Struble replaced them.

Cole Caufield and Emil Heineman, with their 20th and 10th goals of the campaign respectively, scored for the Canadian (17-18-3). Mike Matheson had two assists and Samuel Montembeault made 22 saves.

Tyler Bertuzzi and Patrick Maroon also scored for the Blackhawks (13-24-2), who bounced back from an embarrassing 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues in the Winter Classic on Tuesday at Wrigley Field .

The Habs will conclude their holiday trip on Saturday when they visit the Avalanche in Colorado.

The tide in Chicago’s favor

The visitors threatened from the start, but Soderblom made a good save at the expense of Alex Newhook, alone at the mouth of the net.

The indiscipline then hurt the Canadian, while Struble and Arber Xhekaj were punished in the same sequence for fouls with their stick.

Bertuzzi took the opportunity to open the score at five against three. He beat Montembeault following a cross pass from Teuvo Teravainen.

The two teams then exchanged good shoulder shots, then the Canadian tied the game with 1:36 remaining in the first period. Caufield surprised Soderblom with a high shot from the side of the shield after returning to the front of the net.

The Blackhawks controlled the game after the intermission and Foligno gave his team the lead again after 7:05 of action. He deflected a shot from Wyatt Kaiser behind Montembeault.

The Canadian calmly turned things around and Soderblom made many good saves in the second half of the middle period. The Swedish goalkeeper notably frustrated Pezzetta on a return, then Josh Anderson during an attack in excess.

Soderblom was also vigilant when Heineman deflected a pass from Jake Evans in his direction, then when Nick Suzuki challenged him with a one-timer late in the period.

At the other end of the ice, sensation Connor Bedard hit the crossbar trying to surprise Montembeault at the top of the net.

The CH goalkeeper also made his presence felt by stopping Frank Nazar on a breakaway shortly before the second intermission.

Montembeault, however, was powerless when Maroon took advantage of a nice backhand pass from Ryan Donato to give the Blackhawks a two-goal cushion 3:01 into the third period.

The Canadian responded on the power play midway through the period when Heineman hit the puck in flight after a favorable bounce against the bay window on a powerful throw from Matheson.

Foligno dealt a big blow by scoring his second goal of the game with 4:09 remaining. He took advantage of a loose puck after Vlasic hit the post.