The Minnesota Wild defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 at the Bell Centre on Thursday night to extend their winning streak to nine games. The game was hyped to be a showdown of two very likely Vézina trophy candidates as Devan Dubnyk and Carey Price have been outstanding this season. On Thursday night Dubnyk won the duel as Price had a rare off night, likely wanting another chance on at least two of the Wild’s goals. Despite the score, the Canadiens can hold their heads up high as they played well short handed. On top of missing Alex Galchenyuk, David Desharnais, Andrew Shaw, Andrei Markov and Greg Pateryn, Alexei Emelin missed the game as his wife gave birth to their third child. Joel Hanley was called up to play on the third pairing with Zach Redmond while Nathan Beaulieu slotted up next to Shea Weber and Mark Barberio was promoted to the second pairing alongside Jeff Petry.
The teams were held scoreless in the opening period as Dubnyk and Price matched one another save for save. Early in the second, Max Pacioretty scored his ninth goal in as many games on the penalty kill as he rushed down the wing and let his shot rip with the confidence that may have been lacking earlier in the season. Just over five minutes later, Jordan Schroeder would tie the game as he took advantage of an errant Carey Price play to score his first goal of the season. The Canadiens would retake the lead as Artturi Lehkonen scored on a backhand to extend his point streak to three games. Jared Spurgeon tied the game once again for the Wild as the Canadiens lost the faceoff in their own zone and disheveled as they allowed the Wild to control the play and passing, leaving Spurgeon wide open. Eric Staal scored the winning goal short handed as Mark Barberio could not control and stop the puck at the Wild blue line. Staal jumped on the puck and beat Price short side to give the Wild their first lead of the game. Jason Zucker scored an insurance empty net goal to make it a final 4-2 Wild win.
Puck props and flops:
Shea Weber - He broke 30 minutes for the first time this season as Weber was counted on even more than ever without Markov and Emelin in the lineup. One does worry what kind of legs he will have for tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets but fortunately the holiday break is coming at a much needed time. His assist on Pacioretty’s goal was his first point in eleven games. While he has cooled off offensively, his presence on defense more than makes up for it as he shuts down the Canadiens opponents night in and night out. Perhaps playing with the more offensively minded Beaulieu will spark him while Emelin spends time his new baby girl and family.
Jeff Petry - While he did not score for the fourth consecutive game, he stepped up to play over 26 minutes as the Canadiens relied heavily on their top four. He is playing with such confidence and he makes his partners a better player. Petry might very well be Marc Bergevin’s best trade acquisition.
Artturi Lehkonen - He once again finds himself in the props section and it is no coincidence as he is becoming such a reliable and consistent player. Lehkonen has four goals in his past seven games and makes things happen on almost every single shift as he had three takeaways in the game. He would have more than just two assists on the season if his linemates were able to take advantage of some of his stellar passes. Perhaps it is time to at try at center between Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov, at least on the power play. He needs more ice time and deserves it as well.
Flops:
Carey Price - It is very rare that Price is ever in the flop section and he is not the sole reason that the Canadiens lost last night. It was one of the few games that Price was not able to make the saves that he needed to and usually does. He is usually so reliable with the puck, often like a third defenseman on the ice that you can forget that he is human after all and make a mistake. The break is likely coming at a good time to rest whatever little ailments he might have and I fully expect him to be back to his usual otherworldly self once the Canadiens return from break.
The power play - Once again the Canadiens powerplay was absolutely dismal. Unable to gain entry and sustain the play in the Wild zone. The Petry and Weber experiment at the point is not working. It is time to put Beaulieu with Weber with the man advantage and for now let Barberio play with Petry. As mentioned, Lehkonen deserves a chance on the top unit and if it's successful, give them a few shifts at regular strength as well. Therrien said that the Canadiens have no confidence on the powerplay. It has been their Achilles heel lately and they need a strong performance to break out and build from.
Alexander Radulov - It’s not that he is playing that badly, but he is simply trying to do too much. Radulov is squeezing his stick that much tighter and is not using his linemates as well without Galchenyuk. Phillip Danault is playing admirably but he is no Galchenyuk…
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Al Montoya will get the start in net against the Blue Jackets tonight as he hopes to avoid hearing the cannon. He is a professional and will be ready to play and put his previous Columbus outing behind him. Emelin did not accompany the team and will spend extra time with his newborn and family. The Blue Jackets defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins last night 7-1 to extend their point streak to 11 games and points in their last 13. It will be a formidable challenge for the Canadiens to defeat the Blue Jackets but hey, stranger things have happened!
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