There are no moral victories in the National Hockey League (NHL), even for players who are part of a rebuilding team like the Montreal Canadiens. Despite everything, CH’s 4-2 defeat against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday evening should give some hope for the future.
In any case, this is how Martin St-Louis, the head coach of the Habs, analyzed his team’s setback in a post-match press conference.
• Also read: Despite Hutson’s first goal, CH still loses
• Also read: Finally a first goal for Lane Hutson!
“We looked for a lot of momentum in the middle of the second period,” said St-Louis. We brought it straight into the third period. […] We came close to getting the third goal, but the intentions were there, the fighting spirit was there.”
It must be said that the last 20 minutes of the match absolutely did not go like they did against the Pittsburgh Penguins, 48 hours earlier. CH sought to equalize by creating several chances at the end of the game and could very well have forced an overtime period.
“Honestly, to bounce back from a third period like the one we played at home [face aux Penguins]and then seeing what we did this evening, I’m very encouraged.”
The Canadian can therefore blame himself, since there was a possibility of getting the two points. The difference was made on special teams, the Jets having scored twice with a man advantage.
“We played well five on five, but we lost the special teams game,” admitted defenseman Mike Matheson.
“I would say that taking fewer penalties, that’s for sure, we knew that their numerical advantage was very strong. I think we gave them too many chances,” he replied when asked about what CH could have done better.
“We lost the special teams game” – Mike Matheson –
“It’s really special”
On the good news side, the team’s rookie guard, Lane Hutson, finally managed to unlock his score in the NHL by opening the scoring in the first period.
That moment will forever be etched in his memory, even though Hutson admitted he would have preferred to see his team win.
“It’s really special,” he explained. You don’t know if it’s going to be your first or last goal, so it’s really cool.”
‘It’s really special,’ admits Lane Hutson after scoring his first NHL goal –
He also had good words for his teammates, who were all very happy to see him score his first career goal.
“The guys accepted me in the dressing room from the start and were great with me. For me, it’s a group of brothers,” continued the 20-year-old athlete.
With this success, Hutson reached the 20-point mark in just 30 games. He thereby became the third rookie defender in the history of the Canadian to reach this plateau so quickly. Chris Chelios (24 games) and Tom Kurvers (30 games) both did it in the 1984-85 season.
“It’s disappointing” – David Savard –
