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It's déjà vu as the Sharks defeated the Habs 2-1 on Friday night |
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There was a sense of déjà vu as the San Jose Sharks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 on Friday evening as they continue to struggle in California. The loss was by the same score as when the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Canadiens this past Tuesday and similarly, the team had difficulty scoring and would only be able to get on the board in the last minutes of play. In both games Carey Price was needed to step up as he usually does in order to keep the score close.
The Sharks dominated the first five minutes of play as the Canadiens were not ready to start the game. Brent Burns opened the scoring on a power play goal early in the first period as Mark Barberio took an unnecessary holding penalty for hugging Michael Healey. The Canadiens would find their legs and trade chances but Sharks goaltender Martin Jones was up to the task making some excellent stops. Unfortunately, the momentum that the Canadiens were building was cut wiped out by Alex Galchenyuk’s errant pass just inside the Sharks blue line was picked up by Joe Pavelski who broke away with Joe Thornton for a near two on zero. Pavelski would thread the puck perfectly to Thornton who made no mistake about it, scoring as Andrei Markov was desperately charging to catch up.
The first period was also reminiscent of many Canadiens games from December of 2015 only this time they have Price in net. Like last year, the Canadiens are allowing their opponents to capitalize on their opportunities at seemingly back breaking moments in the game, forcing the team to constantly play from behind. Not to mention the offense has once again run dry but this year there is little excuse as the Canadiens have a fairly healthy lineup. Last year the team toted the message that they just had to keep pushing and eventually the bounces would start going their way. Unfortunately that did not happen as it went from bad to worse. The Canadiens simply cannot afford to be as patient this time around with Price in net.
As good as Paul Byron has looked for a stretch of games on the top line with Galchenyuk and Alexander Radulov, it is time relegate Byron and promote either Max Pacioretty or Artturi Lehkonen. The Alex’s need another threat on their line as they are too focused on finding one another. Byron was there at the opportune time to cash in on plays at the net but the Canadiens need a true top six winger in that role as their opponents are checking the duo much closer. They need that third component to compliment their creativity and Pacioretty should get the first opportunity there. He is a proven 30 plus goal scorer but will not get nearly that total if he is stuck playing next to Tomas Plekanec all season. This is not to put Plekanec down but at the season is a quarter of the way through, it is becoming obvious that he is an excellent third line center and the team needs help down the middle.
Lehkonen would cut the lead in half in the dying minutes of the game on a Canadiens power play and their net empty. It was a sign of confidence by the coaching staff that he was out on the ice in an important moment of the game. He has been excellent since his return from injury and is creating opportunities to score many times that he is on the ice. He was rewarded with a few shifts on the top line during the game before Pacioretty was also given a chance in the second period.
The Canadiens next play a rare Sunday matinee against the Los Angeles Kings at 3pm eastern time. Stay tuned to see how the Canadiens lines change and if they can salvage the California portion of their road trip!
Cheers & follow along!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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