The Montreal Canadiens had a disastrous second period on Saturday, and Martin St-Louis’ men suffered a heavy 6-2 defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Bell Centre.
The Canadian did not deliver the performance hoped for after his long four-day leave.
Head coach Martin St-Louis admitted that he would have preferred to see his team play again quickly after two consecutive victories, including a resounding 3-0 victory Monday against the Edmonton Oilers.
Unfortunately for him, his troops gave him reason to fear this long break. They multiplied the blunders in the second period, leaving goalkeeper Samuel Montembeault out to pasture against a team which was playing a third game in four evenings in three different cities.
The Canadian was dominated by the Golden Knights.
Photo : The Canadian Press / Graham Hughes
Even after giving up the first goal, I thought we were OK,” St-Louis said. But after that, we did things that helped the other team all the time. The match was over.
It’s certain that we have a young team, and that comes with that. But for me, with where we’re at, the guys know it’s unacceptable
he insisted.
Emil Heineman and Jayden Struble saved the honor of the Canadian (7-11-2) by scoring in the third period. Montembeault allowed 5 goals on 25 shots. Cayden Primeau took over in the third period and made two saves.
The Canadian is 0-5-2 against the Golden Knights since winning their spring 2021 Stanley Cup semi-final series.
Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev each had a goal and two assists, while Tomas Hertl, Keegan Kolesar, Callahan Burke and Tanner Pearson also scored for the Golden Knights (13-6-2). Noah Hanifin and Shea Theodore each had two assists and Adin Hill stopped 15 shots.
The Canadian will play their next game on Tuesday when they host the Utah team at the Bell Centre.
A second period to forget
Although the Canadian played honestly in the first period, Montembeault was the more demanded of the two goalkeepers.
The Quebecer was particularly vigilant during a Golden Knights power play early in the game. He frustrated Hertl and Nicolas Roy with dangerous shots.
The Canadian’s best chance came from Alex Newhook’s stick during a power play. However, he reached his teammate Brendan Gallagher, installed in front of the opposing net.
The Canadian controlled the game at the start of the second period, but the train quickly derailed afterward.
Hertl opened the scoring a few moments after a blocked clearance from the Habs.
Hill made his best save in the following moments when he was alert in front of Cole Caufield, who inherited the disc right in front of him.
A turnover by Kirby Dach leaving the zone led to the Golden Knights’ second goal midway through the period, that of Burke on a one-timer from the slot.
It was then Juraj Slafkovsky who was guilty of a turnover at the opposing blue line, then the Golden Knights carried out a two-man attack against the goalie. Barbashev completed a quick exchange with Eichel.
Pearson returned to the charge, shortly after stealing the puck from Newhook at the Golden Knights blue line. Hanifin made a back pass to Pearson, who beat Montembeault with a precise one-timer.
Looking to create a spark, head coach Martin St-Louis modified his lines. Dach skipped his turn a few times, then Slafkovsky eventually found himself on the fourth line.
This did not have the desired effect. Montembeault fumbled a long shot from Zach Whitecloud, and Kolesar scored on the return shot.
He saw how I played. It was deserved
a dit Slafkovsky au sujet de sa rétrogradation.
We made too many stupid decisions with the puck, and it cost us the game
he added.
Shortly after, the Canadiens players returned to the locker room to the boos of spectators at the Bell Center.
I understand them, said David Savard. We were frustrated too. They have the right to boo us. With the way we played in the second half, we didn’t deserve much.
Heineman gave his team, as well as the crowd, a boost of energy by scoring on a power play 2:03 into the third period. Struble then reduced the gap to 5-2, but there was no miracle.
Eichel turned the iron in the wound by beating Primeau with 1:48 left on the clock.
End of widget. Return to start of widget?
