Last night, the Canadian found a way to win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was with a score of 3-2 that Martin St-Louis’ men escaped with victory at the Bell Centre.
And the result of the races is that CH is back in the playoffs.
The club, which is more #DansLeMix than ever, surpassed the Bruins in the standings. And right now, the Sens and the Flannel are just one small point behind the Lightning and the top-3 in the division.
Obviously, the way things are shaping up, we will have to put an end to a quality choice for the Canadian, who is not in line to draft in the top-5 as was the case in recent years.
And clearly, that makes many people happy.
Among the satisfied customers, there must certainly be the Canadian’s coach. After all, Martin St-Louis must be proud to see that his guys never give up and are always in the games.
Yesterday, for example, the club lost by two goals and did not have the best first period in history. But despite everything, the guys found a way to get up.
This is not an isolated “incident”.
In fact, the Canadian’s last eight victories (going back to the December 31 match against Vegas) were achieved via a comeback. And yesterday, it was one of two goals.
With a 7-1-1 record against teams that are currently in the playoffs since December 28, CH impresses. And that’s partly because of what Samuel Montembeault is able to accomplish.
The Canadiens’ #1 goalie has seen many people asking for Jakub Dobes to take more (especially following Saturday’s game, where the Quebecer looked bad) recently.
However, not only does CH want to spare Dobes’ playing time (like Emil Heineman before he was hit by a car), but they also have confidence in Monty.
And yesterday he responded well.
Even though he gave up two goals in the first half of the match, he was uncompromising thereafter… even though the Lightning shot 13 more times (35 vs. 22) than the Canadian during the match.
I don’t know if being in front of Jon Cooper helped (it certainly didn’t hurt, between you and me #TeamCanada) Monty performed well, but he was the goalkeeper that CH needed.
And I’m sure Cooper took notes. It’s his job to do it, after all.
Having Dobes to help Monty allows him to push himself (because he has more competition than with Cayden Primeau), but it also allows him to rest more adequately.
And since CH has 13 wins in its last 17 games (13-3-1), let’s say that the results are there.
-Note also that Samuel Montembeault obtained his 17th victory of the season, which is a new single-season record for him. Playing as #1 goalkeeper without a menage a trois at a good club helps you win matches, I think.
But that’s not all we should remember from this match.
What caught my attention during the match, which became more and more interesting for the fans on site as the match progressed?
1. When we look at Owen Beck’s playing time, we can see that his 6:57 is not an awful lot. He jumped on the ice seven times during the game and in the end, it was Nick Suzuki who played in his place.
Martin St-Louis was playing to win, clearly.
2. The Lightning gave two power plays to the Canadian (who scored once) and Tampa Bay took advantage of four power plays, but at times, the referees had put away their whistles.
They let some slip during the match.
3. David Savard is very important for the Canadian. He has a stabilizing effect for Arber Xhekaj, but he is also important, in a lesser role, on the ice in defensive situations.
Because even if he will never be Lane Hutson (who did his job yesterday), Savard did something that little #48 doesn’t do: protect a lead at the end of the match. I’m not saying Hutson wouldn’t be capable… but let’s just say he has some food to eat before hoping to make a game like this:
4. Jake Evans scored his 11th goal of the season. He also did well in other aspects of the game (faceoffs, numerical penalty, 200-foot play, etc.) and he was at the heart of the victory.
He is just two goals away from tying his career high.
5. Mike Matheson didn’t have the best game of his career. These things happen… but he didn’t fully help his club at the end of the match, in any case.
Not as much as David Savard, at least.
6. During the Canadian’s last victory, a Yay! miniature was thrown onto the ice. And yesterday, after the win, the real Youppi! lay down on the ice, which was funny.
If I had been in a player’s place, I would have (kindly) lain on him.
prolongation
The Canadian, this morning, will train (yes, yes!) in Brossard around 11 a.m. Subsequently, a flight to Detroit awaits the club on the sidelines of tomorrow’s match against the Red Wings.
Detroit may be low in the standings, but the club is not on a bad streak (6-3-1 for 10 games) and the standings are so tight that nothing should be left to chance.
Related News :