The Montreal Canadiens once again fell into the trap set by a bottom-ranked team by having to admit defeat 4 to 2 against the Blackhawks on Friday night in Chicago.
The Habs were unable to secure a fourth straight victory and thus come within one point of a playoff spot. Losses to the Hawks and the weak Columbus Blue Jackets before Christmas were costly.
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Goalkeeper Arvid Soderblom put his mark on this meeting by making several beautiful saves in front of the Canadian players. Facing 40 pucks, he made good saves from Emil Heineman and especially from Nick Suzuki, whom he frustrated spectacularly at the end of the second period and at the start of the third.
Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno had a good game with a double. Two other veterans, Tyler Bertuzzi and Patrick Maroon, also shook the ropes.
Having just celebrated his 24the birthday, Cole Caufield gave himself a little gift, his 20th goal of the season. Using his magical hands, he was able to make Soderblom look bad by outwitting him at close range in the upper area.
Caufield has now reached this plateau in four consecutive seasons, which is a first for the CH since the good years of Max Pacioretty with the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge.
Very in good form recently, Heineman made sure to get his revenge by scoring a goal which reduced the gap to 3 to 2 in the third period. On a baseball hit, he scored his 10e net of the year and a seventh point in as many games.
It was without Patrik Laine, who is bothered by flu symptoms, and David Savard that the CH played this meeting. The latter left training on Thursday and was injured in the upper body. Striker Michael Pezzetta returned to the lineup for the first time since October 27.
The Canadian’s completely crazy holiday schedule continues on Saturday with a visit to the Avalanche in Colorado. Martin St-Louis’ men will then return to Montreal to host the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.
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SUMMARY
Third period
[20:00] End of period
BUT CHI 4 – MTL 2 [15:51] Alex Vlasic (CHI) hits the post head-on and after celebrating a little too quickly, Nick Foligno sends the puck into the net for his second goal of the game.
[10:31] The Blackhawks benefit from a numerical advantage due to Kaiden Guhle (MTL), who held off an opponent.
BUT MTL 2 – CHI 3 [9:45] Emil Heineman (MTL) goes with a baseball shot to score his 10e of the season and reduce the gap on the power play. Seven points in his last seven games for Heineman.
[8:10] Patrick Maroon (CHI) offers a power play to the Habs, his stick ending up between the legs of Arber Xhekaj (MTL). Digital advantage Montreal.
[6:01] Nick Suzuki (MTL) manages to thwart Arvid Soderblom (CHI), who only partially blocks the captain’s throw. The puck slides toward the red line, but defenseman Alex Vlasic steps in to stop it from entering the net.
BUT CHI 3 – MTL 1 [3:01] Patrick Maroon (CHI) accepts Ryan Donato’s perfect pass to hurt the Canadian by giving the Blackhawks a two-goal priority.
[0:00] Start of period
Second period
[20:00] End of period. The Canadian will begin the third in numerical advantage since Alex Vlasic (CHI) hooked Mike Matheson (MTL).
[19:49] Spectacular save by Arvid Soderblom (CHI), who has already been targeted by 30 pucks in this meeting, on Nick Suzuki (MTL).
[18:36] Frank Nazar (CHI) is frustrated in a breakaway by Samuel Montembeault (MTL).
[16:25] Nice pass from Jake Evans (MTL) between his skates for Emil Heineman, but the rookie attacker comes up against Arvid Soderblom (CHI).
[12:45] Connor Bedard (CHI) hits the post to the left of Samuel Montembeault (MTL).
[10:37] Josh Anderson (MTL) shoots directly into the glove of Arvid Soderblom (CHI) on a two-on-one run.
BUT CHI 2 – MTL 1 [7:05] The Blackhawks regain the lead thanks to captain Nick Foligno (CHI), who skillfully deflects Wyatt Kaiser’s low shot.
[5:22] Cole Caufield (MTL) fired two more shots while trying to beat Arvid Soderblom (CHI) in the same way as his first goal.
[3:10] The puck entered the Montembeault (MTL) net, but the game was stopped by the referees as two Blackhawks players took the puck from the goaltender under his glove.
[1:16] Tyler Bertuzzi (CHI), helped by Connor Bedard, tries to add more with a lively shot that Samuel Montembeault (MTL) absorbs well.
[0:00] Start of period
First period
[20:00] End of period
BUT MTL 1 – CHI 1 [18:24] Cole Caufield (MTL) mystifies Arvid Soderblom (CHI) with his magic hands, beating the Blackhawks goalie at close range with a precise shot in the upper area. This is his 20e goal of the season.
[17:46] Nice diving save from Samuel Montembeault (MTL), who blocks a very good throw from the top of the crease from Jason Dickinson (CHI).
[14:57] Cole Caufield (MTL) gets a good chance to score in the slot, but Arvid Soderblom (CHI) has the upper hand with a nice move.
[12:56] Nick Suzuki (MTL) takes Nolan Allan (CHI) off his skates with a very solid check.
[11:57] Seth Jones (CHI) goes to the penalty box for tripping Kirby Dach (MTL). Digital advantage Montreal.
[9:44] Nice save from Samuel Montembeault, who blocks a floating puck with his shield. Without a stick, he then manages to stop the game.
[8:09] Alexandre Carrier (MTL) gives a double-check behind the back of Colton Dach (CHI) who crashes against the boards. Power play Chicago.
[5:29] Arber Xhekaj (MTL) engages in a fight with Patrick Maroon (CHI) and manages to overthrow the Blackhawks strongman.
BUT CHI 1 – MTL 0 [3:21] Nice lifted pass from Teuvo Teravainen (CHI), who joins Tyler Bertuzzi in the slot to open the scoring. After this power play goal, the Canadian defends five against four.
[1:58] Frank Nazar (CHI) takes two penalties from CH when Jayden Struble (MTL) hits him with a stick before Arber Xhekaj trips him. Chicago’s five-on-three power play.
[0:34] Arvid Soderblom (CHI) makes a last-minute save in front of Alex Newhook (MTL) following a great play from Kirby Dach.
[0:00] Start of period
