Game 42: Canadiens vs Penguins AKA Close but no Cigar and Prospects Watch (Canadiens)

Canadiens

Game 42: Canadiens vs Penguins AKA Close but no Cigar and Prospects Watch

By Karine Hains

Jan 5, 2020 • 12:48 pm

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It was a busy day in sports yesterday with the World Junior Championships semi-finals, the wildcard weekend in the NFL and a full schedule in the NHL. It all kicked off with Russia taking on Sweden in what was the most exciting game so far of the WJC. Sweden opened the score just 16 seconds in but wasn't ready for Russia's answer as they scored 3 goals by the 12th minute mark. Sweden did manage to score once more before the end of the period and both team went back to the locker room with a 3-2 score. Sweden then tied things up in the second with a 2nd goal in the game for Rasmus Sandin in what was the lone goal of the frame. Then, in the 3rd, Sweden managed to take the lead for the second time of the game but it was a short lived lead for 4 minutes before Russia equalized and sent both team to overtime. After just over 3 minutes of extra time, Morozov scored to give Russia the win and their ticket to today's final. This is a bitter result for Sweden, after all, they are 52-0 in the preliminary round since 2008 but they just can't seem to be clutch when it's time to be....In that span they've won just one gold medal, five silver and one bronze. Romanov was once again used for over 20 minutes, took 4 shots on goal and 2 penalty minutes. He did not get on the scoresheet but offered an excellent defensive performance. Meanwhile, Norlinder only saw 11 minutes and 25 seconds of action. In the other semi-final, Canada destroyed Finland 5-0 and today, the Canadians will have a chance to avenge their 6-0 defeat at the hands of Russia in the preliminary round.

Before the Canadiens took on the Penguins last night, Ilya Kovalchuk had his first encounter with the Montreal media and was quite frankly all smiles. There is no doubt that the man is happy to have another shot at playing in the NHL and that he is full of good intentions, he even said a few words in French:

While Kovalchuk wasn't in the line-up last night, Marco Scandella was. The team's new number 28 was over the moon to be back home and to play for his childhood team. Unfortunately, the Habs couldn't muster a win on his debut. It's not like the Habs didn't try, they came out strong and Lehkonen got the first goal of the game 8 minutes in. On that goal, Domi and Suzuki both got an assist and that was the 9th game in a row with at least a point for Domi. As is too often the case this season with the Tricolore though, the lead didn't even last a minute as Aston-Reese tied the score shortly after.

Early in the second period, Lehkonen put the Canadiens back in front on a great individual effort. He intercepted a pass in Pittsburgh's zone and immediately put the puck in the back of Matt Murray's net. That goal was the Finn's 100th point in the NHL, a milestone he took 262 games to reach. For once, the Habs hung on to the lead for a full period but Bryan Rust got the Penguins back on level term in the third period thanks to a bounce off the board before Brendan Tanev got them the win in OT. There was a contestation on the game-winning goal as Price felt he had been interfered with but it was deemed a good goal.

Just like that, the Habs lost a 5th game in a row but hey, they at least got a point out of that duel. The Canadiens would have deserved better, and for once this season, we saw flashes of the old Carey Price. Number 31 put in a solid night of work, stopping 34 of 37 shots for a save percentage of .919 and a few spectacular saves. As previously stated, Max Domi got a point in a 9th consecutive game and seemed to be everywhere on the ice as is often the case when he's emotionally involved. For some reason in the first, he dropped the gloves and fought Marcus Petterson and from then on, his energy level didn't come down. While that fight was by no means necessary, it's great to see the passionate Max Domi back and there's no doubt that he is much more efficient when he's all in... I'm definitely willing to put up with the odd unnecessary penalty if that means he's back to being dialled in. As for the new guy, Marco Scandella played 15 minutes and 40 seconds, received 2 penalty minutes, had a shot on goal (and one straight off the post which could have given the Habs a 3-1 lead), dished out 4 hits and blocked 3 shots. He was paired up with Fleury but based on that performance, I expect him to make his way up to the second pairing sooner rather than later.

Looking ahead, the Habs will tangle with the Winnipeg Jets tomorrow, the Red Wings on Tuesday, the Oilers on Thursday before visiting Ottawa on Saturday. Today, there will be a practice in Brossard and that should tell us where Claude Julien intends to use Ilya Kovalchuk. The Habs' new number 17 (Kulak gave him his number and now wears 77 - oh Brett, who are you kidding? You are no Ray Bourque) will more than likely be making his debut early this week, even tomorrow if we're lucky. Judging by what was seen at the Bell Centre last night, the fans are excited to welcome the former star in Montreal:

Edit: The Habs put Folin on waivers today, should no one claim him he’ll be sent to Laval.

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