The Montreal Canadiens won a very close game last night, as they defeated the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 4 to 3.
The CH therefore not only put more than 30 pucks on net for the first time this season, but also knew how to be very combative to come from behind in the third period and win on par.
Overall, it was an excellent match for the CH, who were able to do well in each aspect of the game, namely the five-on-five game, the numerical advantage (1 in 2), and the numerical disadvantage ( 0 goals allowed in 4 occasions for Detroit).
For this last aspect of the game, namely the numerical inferiority, we must once again give a lot of credit to Jake Evans.
The CH center was once again excellent short of a man, in addition to finding a way to cause a turnover and score a magnificent shorthanded goal.
With this goal, Evans ended the Habs' horrible streak of ten consecutive escapes without realizing.
In short, after missing an empty net at the start of the match, Evans excelled last night, when he was clearly the best player for the Habs, and above all the most useful player for CH.
With a goal, an assist, a +3 differential, two shots, two checks and an efficiency rate of 50% in the faceoff circles, Evans demonstrated that his more than hard work paid off big time. the team.
There's great chemistry on this trio as well with Emil Heineman and Joel Armia, which makes Evans even more indispensable than you might think.
He makes his teammates better, and that weighs heavily on a player's CV.
And let's say that this season, Evans' CV is really excellent, and it continues to be improved, which risks forcing the CH management to make a very big decision.
Indeed, given that Evans is in his last year of contract ($1.7 million annually), he becomes a very easy player to trade and who will have a very high value on the transaction market.
He could bring in a lot of money for the CH at the trade deadline in March, but at the same time, if he's that good, why would the CH send him elsewhere?
No matter the match, no matter the situation and no matter the score, CH can always count on Jake Evans.
He's the kind of depth player you want on your team, and even more so this season, as CH's number 71 is producing points at the best rate of his career.
Indeed, Evans accumulates points much more easily than before, and his 18 points place him 4th among CH's top scorers, only behind Nick Suzuki (32), Cole Caufield (30) and Lane Hutson (23).
That's no small thing, and it really says a lot about the excellent season Evans is having.
At 28, Evans is entering the best period of his career, and therefore, the CH would clearly benefit from retaining his services, even if his value is at its highest currently.
It is clear that if the CH decides to keep Evans, they will have to grant him a very nice salary increase.
Personally, I believe that the best decision would be to keep Evans in Montreal, giving him a long-term contract like five years for $3.5 million per year.
With the salary cap increasing, such a contract would in no way be a burden for the CH.
In short, in the end, I believe that letting Evans go to make room for a youngster would be counterproductive, given that it takes veterans on the team, and Evans has become one.
Evans' story is also inspiring, as he was a seventh-round pick (207th overall) in 2014 and still found a way to make it to the NHL and establish himself there .
In Burst
– Very nice victory by Jakub Dobes.
– Here is the plan for the day at the CH.
– Not to be missed today.
– Interesting.
– This will be continued.
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