Martin St-Louis wanted his team to demonstrate that their performance during the third period of Thursday’s game against the Penguins was an accident.
Against the Jets, leaders in the general classification, the most productive team on the circuit and a team with the most devastating massive attack in the NHL, it was not going to be an easy demonstration.
Nevertheless, the Habs held on. He lost by a score of 4 to 2, but the match was never out of his reach.
The Canadian players displayed a combative and committed face. No one from their camp showed up in Winnipeg to play tourist. Normal, some will say, there is nothing to see there.
With equal strength, the Montreal team was able to exchange blow for blow with the representatives of the Manitoba capital.
On both sides, goaltenders had to stand out on several occasions: Samuel Montembeault, who got a sixth consecutive start, and Connor Hellebuyck, the strongest goalie in the NHL.
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Unnecessary punishments
It was on special teams that the Jets managed to distance themselves. In the first period, a stupid penalty taken by Kirby Dach set the table for the Jets’ first two goals. Goals from Gabriel Vilardi, on the power play, and Adam Lowry, scored in an interval of 126 seconds.
In the second, a free high stick from Christian Dvorak to Mark Scheifele allowed the locals to benefit from a two-man numerical superiority. You can guess what happens next.
To this bouquet of useless punishments, we can add that of Josh Anderson, taken 200 feet from his net, and that of Brendan Gallagher who, with three and a half minutes to play, slowed down the Canadian in his attempt to create the ‘equality.
When you give six power plays to a team that has a conversion rate of 30.3%, you are not helping your cause.
Finally Hutson’s first goal
This setback overshadowed Lane Hutson’s first goal in the NHL. The defender beat Hellebuyck with a surprising wrist shot. Enough to put in their place those who doubted the quality of his throws.
For the occasion, Hutson found himself on the ice with the revamped first trio. As he began to do towards the end of the second period on Thursday, St-Louis used Juraj Slafkovksy along with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki.
The rookie therefore managed to break the ice after collecting 19 assists. On the bench, the reaction of his teammates and coaches spoke volumes about the respect they have for him. There were smiles and happiness per square foot.
The few hundred Canadiens fans who took their seats inside the Canada Life Center gave Hutson a sample of the cheers he would have received if he had been able to score this goal at the Bell Centre.
Hellebuyck has the last word
This defeat also prevented Patrik Laine from fully enjoying his reunion with Hellebuyck, one of his teammates during the four seasons he played for the Jets.
In the morning, the Finn had indicated to the journalists present on site that he was going to face Hellebuyck for the very first time since, during his three previous matches against the Jets, it was the auxiliary goaltender who was in front of the net.
“He was probably suffering from Patty fever. I can understand that,” he said, deadpan, to the colleagues around him.
So he promised himself that he would get the better of him. His efforts were in vain. But it’s not for lack of trying. Seven times, Laine put Hellebuyck to the test. And it wasn’t with a blowgun or balls of paper in a straw. Each time, the American resisted. Sometimes giving the impression of closing both eyes and praying to little Jesus.
Absent Thursday, David Savard was back in the lineup. His presence brought some stability to the blue line. However, that didn’t stop Mike Matheson from being used for 26 mins 54 sec. At least this time he was playing on his strong side.
