When Lou Lamoriello is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, on his memorial plaza, it will be written that he was the master in the art of assembling sleepy teams. The Islanders, of whom he has been general manager since 2018, are no different.
We should therefore not expect a major confrontation on Tuesday evening at the Bell Centre. Except that…
Except that this is the match that Patrik Laine chose to make his return to the game after an absence of almost a year. In the morning, the Finn said he wanted to pick up where he left off the last time he put on skates in a regular season match, on December 14, 2023.
Photo Martin Chevalier
Once again, the Finn was granted his request. The one the fans applauded wildly when the starting lineup was announced opened the scoring.
Stationed in Cole Caufield’s office, during a massive attack, the new darling beat Ilya Sorokin with a solid wrist shot in the upper left corner.
The Canadiens’ supporters became so overjoyed that it was difficult to hear the splendid voice of Michel Lacroix when this goal was confirmed.
Big, but shy
For this baptism in the Montreal uniform, the 26-year-old striker was used for 17 mins 27 s of play. He took two shots on goal.
A performance which earned him the first star. Once again, we came close to a collective loss of knowledge.
It must be said that everyone had a light heart. Nick Suzuki had just given their favorites a 2-1 victory by scoring his 10th goal of the season, in overtime.
Laine fully deserved this star. If only for having managed to get through so many ordeals over the last 12 months.
But if he hit the target with a numerical advantage, at even strength, the trio he formed with Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovsky was not very threatening. On the contrary, he was the one who had the fewest scoring opportunities.
A little more guts from number 92’s linemates, especially Dach, could change the situation.
Montembeault even on his back
It is unknown what will happen to Patrick Roy in the coming days and weeks. He said he doesn’t pay attention to what’s being said in the media, but things are starting to heat up on Long Island. And, it’s not certain that this setback against the team which occupied 31st place on the Bettman circuit will pass without scratching good Lou’s esophagus.
This is already a 10th loss by a goal difference for the Islanders. Let’s say that the chances of this happening are much greater when you are unable to generate sustained attacks.
That said, Samuel Montembeault had his say in this narrow victory. True to form, the Habs experienced a slight slump in the final moments of the second period.
Nothing very long. But without the prowess of Bécancourois, who frustrated Jean-Gabriel Pageau, among others, while he was lying on his back, the Montrealers would have seen their losing streak extend to three.
No, it wasn’t a perfect match. He was often even boring. Nevertheless, the 21,105 spectators who were inside the Bell Center said: “For Laine’s first goal, I was there. »
