Preseason game 7: Canadiens vs. Senators (Canadiens)

Canadiens

Preseason game 7: Canadiens vs. Senators

By Karine Hains

Sep 29, 2019 • 12:17 pm

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It finally felt like real hockey. The game last night was meaningless, no one skated away with two points but did those teams ever want to win. For the first time this preseason, the Canadiens NHL roster took on another team's NHL roster and it was a sight for sore eyes, no more AHLers just trying their best just two teams trying to put the puck in the net.

The Senators came out strong and turned on the pressure on the Habs straight from the get got, at one stage in the first they led 12-6 shots Wise but thankfully, dialed-in Carey Price was on duty (for almost every minute of the game, more on that later). Cool as ice, the Canadiens' ace looked as confident as ever in front of his net and both his positioning and puck tracking were on point which allowed the Habs to weather the early storm. At the midway point of the first, Price made a save and attempted to freeze the puck while Bobby Ryan came a bit too near to the Canadiens' goalkeeper and Ben Chiarot did not like that, jumping on Ryan and dropping the gloves right away. I must admit that I personally loved that. We all know what Price means to this team and his health can make or brake a season so having a new bodyguard is just brilliant news.

The NHL ison notice: gettooclose to Price youwillberunover by a “Chiarot…. That meansyoutooKreider. #gohabsgo

— Karine Hains (@Pheebs888) September28, 2019

Minutes after that bout, another one broke out between Scott Sabourin, he of who on earth is that seems to think Auston Matthews fame, and Max Domi. To be fair, Domi wasn't really ready for a fight and just thought he was in for a bit of pushing and shoving...Much to Domi's pleasure, Sabourin picked up an extra 2 minutes for roughing and Domi showed that his chirping game was regular season ready:

After 20 minutes and 10 penalties, the score was 1-0 Canadiens thanks to a beautiful Philip Danault shorthanded goal. The Senators lead shots wise with 13 to the Canadiens' 11 but that hardly mattered.

Early in the second period, the Habs first line worked its magic in the offensive zone when Philip Danault prevented a clearing and pushed the puck to Gallagher in the corner who cut Inside towards the net who sent the puck to Tomas "Tuna" Tatar who was in plenty of open water and didn't miss his chance to make it 2-0. Say what you will about Danault, perhaps he shouldn't be a first line centre but right now, that's their best option and is is doing the job, there is no denying it. In fact, at the end of training camp this line appears to be the only one Claude Julien is 100% set on and to be honest, who could blame him? You don't mess with that kind of chemistry.

Soon after, the Sens thought they had gotten back within one but their goal was waived off because of a very distinctive kicking motion. They would get another one minutes later though on a deflected shot which hit the crossbar before falling in the blue paint behind Price...Bobby Ryan only had to tap it in. Less than two minutes later, the Habs were on the power play when Max Domi had his pocket picked by Anthony Duclair who flew on the breakaway and put some pretty sweet moves on display to beat Price and tie the score at 2 all.

After 2 periods, Jesperi Kotkaniemi had only been on the ice for a little over 5 minutes...while this sounds quite bad, you must remember that he was on none of the special unit and through 40 minutes, 34 minutes of penalty had been handed out (Something the Antichambre panelists failed to mention as they were ripping the kid).

3 more penalties were handed out in the 3rd but once again, both team's power plays failed to convert and it wasn't until 17:43 that the Sens broke the tie with a solo "effort" by Chlapik. Why the quotation marks? Well, for once, Carey Price suffered from a major brain cramp and handed him the goal on a silver plater with a soft pass aimed at Mete that had absolutely no chance to reach him:

With just over two minutes to go, it kind of looked like the Canadiens were going to lose for a third straight game but thankfully, Jeff Petry and Brendan Gallagher sprung into action, the later deflecting the former's shot to bring everyone back to square one:

Just like that, the table was set for a rather entertaining overtime period which saw both teams get some chances to end the debate but as if a Hollywood writer had penned the script, it was Nick Suzuki who would put the final nail in the Senators' coffin. Number 14 used his speed (yes, turns out he does have some) to beat Jean-Gabriel Pageau to the puck and beat Nilsson on a wrap around sending the Bell Centre in a frenzy (who cares if it's only preseason, an OT win is always magical):

That was without a doubt the most entertaining game of the 7 played by the Habs during preseason and there's no doubt that Suzuki put the final exclamation point on a wonderful training camp performance. While we do not yet know if he will get to stay with the big club officially (no announcement has been made yet), we know that Brendan Gallagher believes that he should stick around. In his post game 1st star interview, Gally stated that the kid had done everything right and was clearly ready for the big time...the ball is in your court Claude!

Speaking of Suzuki, with each game he amazes me more and more, it's quite rare to see such a young player play with that kind of poise. In the first, he skated in the Ottawa zone and realized he was all alone, instead of going nowhere fast on the board, he slowed down, skated back a little, let the defense come to him and waited for reinforcement which came soon enough. In the overtime period, he knew all too well that Pageau was in the last seconds of his shift and that he was gassed, the opportunity was there for the taking and Suzuki pounced. The kid has got wonderful awareness and truly deserves to not only stay up but also be on the top 6.

As for Ryan Poehling, I was glad to see that he did not look scared or tentative at all and he just got on with it. However, he got called on two tripping penalties which could have been averted. Considering that he did miss a whole week though, that can be forgiven. I truly believe that he would benefit from a short stay in Laval under Joel Bouchard's watchful eye.

Finally, Cale Fleury played yet another solid game dishing out 4 hits and taking 3 shots and if the roster decisions are made solely on merit, he will start the season in Montreal. The Canadiens have until Tuesday to make the final roster decisions and trim their roster to 23 players. There will be no practice today or tomorrow while the Habs' brass ponders their next moves. The team will be back on the ice in Brossard at 11:00 on Tuesday and by then, we should know more about the opening night roster.

Until then, enjoy the start of fall, take in some football games today and take part in fantasy drafts in readiness for the NHL season because ladies and gents, it is (almost) finally October! Game on!

This just in:

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