Canadien 2 — Blackhawks 4

(Chicago) The Canadian fell back to earth against the worst team in the NHL.

Read our live coverage

View the match summary

Nick Foligno scored two goals, Arvid Soderblom stopped 38 shots and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Montreal team 4-2 on Friday at the United Center.

The Habs had won their previous three games against three of the last four Stanley Cup champions. The Blackhawks, who had lost their last five games and started the day in last place in the general standings of the Bettman circuit, slowed down the momentum of Martin St-Louis’ team by showing a little more opportunism.

Soderblom also had his say with several spectacular saves.

The Canadian was, however, without forward Patrik Laine (flu symptom) and defender David Savard (upper body). Michael Pezzetta, who played his first match since October 27, and Jayden Struble replaced them.

Cole Caufield and Emil Heineman, respectively with their 20^e et 10^e of the campaign, scored the Canadian’s goals (17-18-3). Mike Matheson collected two assists and Samuel Montembeault made 22 saves.

Tyler Bertuzzi and Patrick Maroon also scored for the Blackhawks (13-24-2), who rebounded from an embarrassing 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues in the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on Tuesday.

The Habs will conclude their holiday trip on Saturday, when they visit the Colorado Avalanche.

The tide in favor of Chicago

The visitors threatened from the start, but Soderblom made a good save at the expense of Alex Newhook, alone in the net.

Indiscipline hurt the Canadian afterwards, while Struble and Arber Xhekaj were punished in the same order for stick fouls.

Bertuzzi took the opportunity to open the score at five to three. He beat Montembeault at 3:21, following a cross-ice pass from Teuvo Teravainen.

The two teams then exchanged good shoulder shots, then the Canadian tied the game with 1:36 remaining in the first period. Caufield surprised Soderblom with a high shot from the side of the shield after returning to the front of the net.

The Blackhawks controlled the game after the intermission and Foligno gave his team the lead again after 7:05 of play. He deflected a Wyatt Kaiser shot past Montembeault.

The Canadian calmly turned the situation around and Soderblom made many interesting saves in the second half of the middle period. The Swedish goalkeeper notably frustrated Pezzetta on a return, then Josh Anderson during an excessive attack.

Soderblom was also vigilant when Heineman deflected a pass from Jake Evans in his direction, then when Nick Suzuki challenged him with a one-timer late in the period.

At the other end of the ice, sensation Connor Bédard hit the crossbar in an attempt to surprise Montembeault at the top of the net.

Montembeault also made his presence felt by stopping Frank Nazar on a breakaway shortly before the second intermission.

The Canadiens goaltender, however, was helpless when Maroon took advantage of a beautiful backhand pass from Ryan Donato to give the Blackhawks a two-goal advantage 3:01 into the third period.

The Canadian responded on the power play at 9:45, when Heineman hit the puck in flight after a favorable bounce against the bay window on a powerful shot from Mike Matheson.

Foligno dealt a big blow by scoring his second goal of the game with 4:09 remaining. He took advantage of a loose puck after Vlasic hit the post.