Without a home victory since October 26, the Montreal Canadiens took advantage of their return to the Bell Center after a difficult trip to opposing ice rinks to win 5-1 against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
It must be said that the opponent who stood before Martin St-Louis’ men was well within their reach. The Blue Jackets were 1-5-2 on the road going into the game.
Having experienced sluggish starts to matches more often than not since the start of the season, the Canadian for a rare time started his game well. The power play struck on its first opportunity thanks to a powerful one-timer from Mike Matheson.
The latter thereby ended a drought of 19 games without scoring which went back to the end of last season. He could have added a second goal to his record during the second period, but his attempt from the slot was rejected by goalkeeper Daniil Tarasov. He finally added an assist on his team’s fifth goal scored by Josh Anderson.
Matheson also had a successful meeting, with a playing time of 27 min 12 s. He was by far the skater most used by his head coach, who had to compensate for the absence of David Savard on the blue line.
A detour to the infirmary…paid?
In the middle of the second period, Arber got their money’s worth.
If we were treated to a balanced fight, it still seems that it was the young Habs defender who came out the most damaged. He put an ice bag on his head for a few moments, before heading to the CH locker room for treatment.
Nevertheless, we can say that this detour paid off for him, since he participated in Nick Suzuki’s goal, which gave CH a 2-1 lead, on his return to the ice.
Slafkovsky cloué au banc
Forward Juraj Slafkovsky skipped his turn several times in the second period. It was also Joel Armia who took his place on the team’s first offensive unit during this sequence.
Despite everything, number 20 found his place in the final third, ending his evening of work with a usage of 16 min 56 s.
The floodgates open in the third period
Speaking of Armia, he took advantage of his return to the fourth line to serve his friend Lucas Condotta on a silver platter, who doubled the Habs’ lead midway through the third period.
A little less than two minutes later, Jake Evans joined in the fun by propelling an offering from Cole Caufield into Tarasov’s top corner. CH’s top scorer this season collected two assists in the victory.
SUMMARY
Third period
(20:00) End of period
(17:52) Players from both teams exchange blows and Lucas Condotta (MTL) makes a real wrestling hold on Kevin Labanc (CBJ). Only Emil Heineman (MTL) is punished. Columbus power play.
BUT MTL 5 – CBJ 1 (15:55) Mike Matheson’s long shot deflects onto Josh Anderson, who despite himself scores his fourth goal of the season.
(15:51) The Blue Jackets remove their goalie to attack 6 against 4, but Adam Fantilli (CBJ) spoils everything for Columbus by receiving a penalty.
(14:59) Jayden Struble (MTL) is taken for a high stick on Mathieu Olivier (CBJ). Columbus power play.
BUT MTL 4 – CBJ 1 (12:52) Cole Caufield (MTL) makes a superb pass for Jake Evans, who scores a goal to give the Canadian a three-goal lead.
BUT MTL 3 – CBJ 1 (11:04) Lucas Condotta (MTL) scores with a point-blank shot. This is his first in the NHL since April 2023. A second assist for Joel Armia.
(8:34) Brendan Gallagher (MTL) threatens again by finding a great opportunity to score from the top of the circles. The Jackets goalkeeper has the upper hand, but looks behind him.
(4:53) The dangerous Cole Caufield (MTL) takes a shot that passes just above the cage of Daniil Tarasov (CBJ), who was certainly a little scared.
(1:19) Joel Armia (MTL) and Zach Werenski (CBJ) battle for the puck and the CH forward trips his rival. Columbus power play.
(0:00) Start of period
Second period
(20:00) End of period
(19:49) Yegor Chinakhov (CBJ) blocks a powerful throw from Arber Xhekaj (MTL) with his foot and it hurt him a lot.
BUT MTL 2 – CBJ 1 (15:49) Nick Suzuki (MTL) creates space in opposing territory and releases a shot that fools Daniil Tarasov (CBJ). Arber Xhekaj collects a first point this season.
(13:40) Arber Xhekaj (MTL) is back on the bench after a detour to the infirmary. However, he bears the traces of his fight.
(11:54) Mike Matheson (MTL) comes close to scoring a second this evening. Daniil Tarasov (CBJ) gives several returns, but he blocks the powerful throw of the CH defender.
(8:09) During a face-off, the strong Arber Xhekaj (MTL) and Mathieu Olivier (CBJ) throw down the gloves and engage in a long fight that would make Mike Tyson and Jake Paul blush. Xhekaj took a lot of hits and had to retreat to the locker room with an ice bag.
BUT CBJ 1 – MTL 1 (7:40) Dante Fabbro (CBJ) scores his first goal with the Jackets, his shot from the blue line deflecting past Samuel Montembeault (MTL).
(5:39) Brendan Gallagher (MTL) takes a shot from a threatening place following a cross pass from Nick Suzuki, but a defender partially blocks his shot.
(1:32) The Blue Jackets begin a tic-tac-toe game that cannot be completed by the player posted in front of the net of Samuel Montembeault (MTL), who was hot.
(0:00) Start of period
First period
(20:00) Lane Hutson, still looking for his first NHL goal, hits the post with the very last shot of the period.
(17:44) Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL) challenges Daniil Tarasov (CBJ) with a throw which causes a return, but no one is in the crease to take advantage of it.
(13:04) In a most bizarre sequence, Sean Monahan (CBJ) steals Lane Hutson’s (MTL) stick after a throw-in. The former Canadian is punished for obstruction. Digital advantage Montreal.
(10:05) Samuel Montembeault (MTL) blocks two powerful slap shots from Dante Fabbro (CBJ) in quick succession.
(9:25) Kirby Dach (MTL) tries to beat goalkeeper Tarasov (CBJ) by shooting him in the back. Threatened, the Russian nevertheless manages to recover the puck without giving any feedback.
(5:28) The Jackets attack after the goal, but it is Kevin Labanc (CBJ) who is caught for a stick hit on Arber Xhekaj (MTL). Digital advantage Montreal.
BUT MTL 1 – CBJ 0 (4:59) Mike Matheson (MTL) finally scores his first goal of the season, the fourth by a Canadian defender, thanks to a powerful slap shot on the power play.
(3:43) Jake Evans (MTL) escapes shorthanded, but receives a stick hit from Damon Severson (CBJ) as he takes his slap shot. Digital advantage Montreal.
(3:00) Christian Dvorak (MTL) goes around the net to try to surprise goalkeeper Daniil Tarasov (CBJ), who does not flinch.
(1:59) Following a turning shot from Cole Caufield (MTL), the attacker broke the stick of Adam Fantilli (CBJ) and was sent to the cell. Columbus power play.
(0:00) Start of period
A few minutes before the match, CH revealed that defender David Savard was injured in his upper body and that he would have to give way to Jayden Struble. At the morning training at the Bell Centre, nothing suggested that the veteran was going to have to sit out.
Here is the Canadian’s lineup:
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