It started with the same old story last night aside from the fact that for the first time in what seemed like ages, it wasn't Carey Price in the Canadiens' net but Charlie Lindgren. After Claude Julien pretty much lost it in his last post game presser, the Habs' leaders clearly wanted to show their coach that they had heard the message loud and clear and it was no surprise to see the first line draw first blood. This time it was Philip Danault who did the honours while Tatar and Gallagher got the helpers. Within 5 minutes of the puck dropping, the Canadiens had already put 10 shots on net and poor Anton Forsberg was looking like a bit of a headless chicken. The Habs did ease off a bit though and finished the first with 16 shots to Carolina's 11. Lindgren did well, stopping every single shot that made its way to him in the first 20 minutes.
Une passe sur la palette, c'est bien. Mais deux, c'est mieux.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 1, 2020
One pass on the tape is good. But two is better.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/JgusVxJ5wI
Montreal also owned the second period, clearly wanting to put their demons to rest by increasing their lead and hanging on to it. It started well when Max Domi scored his 17th of the year which meant that he got a point in a 5th consecutive game. Both Byron and Weal got assists on that one and that was Byron's 5th point in the 6 games since he's come back. That goal put the Habs up by the dreaded 2 goal lead that they have seemed allergic to lately and Twitter got alight with tweets about their impending doom but that lasted for oh, about 20 seconds since Brendan Gallagher put his name on the scoreboard to make it 3-0. That marked the end of Forsberg's night and the start of Alex Nedeljkovic's one. The Canes seemed energized by the change and it took less than 4 minutes before Haydn Fleury managed to get them on the scoresheet silencing the Bell Centre crowd in one swift motion.
Le tir était bon, la célébration était encore meilleure.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 1, 2020
Amazing shot, even better celly.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/OWlAsfi3HN
Before the third period, the cameras caught Kirk Muller in the tunnel leading up to the locker room talking to the team's leaders and it's easy to imagine what he was saying...Something along the lines of: "We cannot afford to screw this one up guys". Clearly, it's not that the Canadiens want to screw up but somehow, they do appear to always find a way to do just that. It took a minute and 14 seconds into the 3rd for a puck to find its way in the back of Lindgren's net and from then on, it really looked like a struggle. To say that the Habs were playing on their heels would be un understatement, this team's lack of confidence is just so obvious that it can physically hurt to watch them play. They almost managed to protect that one-goal lead though until Carolina pulled its goalie and scored 6 on 5 to send the game to overtime. To be honest, I think most everyone was expecting that one and I know I must not be the only one who actually chuckled when it happened.
Surprisingly though, the Canadiens made short work of the overtime period and it only took 52 seconds for Jeff Petry to close the books. Yes, the very same Petry who blocked a shot in the dying minutes of the third and clearly looked hurt. Tomas Tatar got the sole assist on that one for his third helper of the night and the Canadiens finally celebrated a win at the Bell Centre. It was by no means a perfect game for Julien's team as they did manage to let the lead disappear again and committed a whooping 22 giveaways (5 of which were thanks to Jeff Petry) but a win is a win. The first line combined for 7 points in the game and once again showed that this was their show to run. It was a tough night at the office for Nick Suzuki though who only won 18% of his face-offs and his wingers are not exactly having a great time either. Joel Armia is pointless in the last 6 games while Lehkonen has no points in 5.
"It's electric when that happens"#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/K85Jgyn2rj
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 1, 2020
The Canadiens will be back on the ice on Tuesday when they take on the Islanders and their brand new 3rd line centre; Jean-Gabriel Pageau before heading to Florida to take on the Stamkosless Lightning on Thursday and the Panthers on Saturday.