It wasn't pretty but it's still a win! With less than 7 minutes to go, it didn't look good, it seemed like the Habs were headed for a regulation loss but turns out that Jesperi Kotkaniemi can make things better in an instant!
The Canadiens were ready to start this game, for once, their power play was on point and we saw a Weber Rocket make it 1-0 with the man advantage just 2:23 in. This was great not only because it meant that the power play got the job done, but also because the passes were great and it really made the Oilers 4 players move in order to clear the shooting lane for the captain. Of course, it's not perfect yet, I mean the second unit is struggling big time BUT things are getting better and we should take it.
The Oilers tied things up mere seconds after their power play ended halfway through the first but that wasn't the low point of the period. That came when Lucic tangled with Victor Mete and sent him headfirst in the board. I've never been a big Lucic fan (thank God he decided to sign in Edmonton and not in Montreal) and I never will be. I hate that player...the style of play, the death threats in the handshake lines to Emelin and Weise and today's incident... I was very happy to hear the crowd boo him every time he touched the puck. It was a small consolation for the fact that there was no call on the play. Thankfully, Mete was back on the ice in the second period and it looked like we were going to get out of that game unharmed...
It took just about a minute of play in the second period for Max Domi to put the Habs back ahead on a nice little wrap-around which kind of made up for all those missed chances in the first period (open net for Gallagher, another one for Lehkonen and one for Domi himself...was eerily similar to all those missed chances from yesterday). Edmonton was far from down and out however and they dominated the second frame with goals from McDavid and Draisaitl. Also worthy of note is the fact that after getting checked in the corner, Paul Byron dropped his stick and both gloves and skated to the bench in haste before hitting the boards behind the Habs bench 3 times with his healthy arm...it sure looks like that left shoulder is injured again... Byron didn't come back during the game and I fear he may be out of the line-up for a while. This is a shame because he fits in quite nicely with Tatar and Domi on the second line but, if you want to see the positive side of things, at least Shaw is ready to come back. You've got to wonder if Shaw will mean Domi and Drouin getting back on a line with him since they did play very well together and prompt the reunion of the Tatar-Danault-Gallagher line. Of course, that would also mean another chance for Charles Hudon. I did think he might have been at risk to clear space on the roster for Shaw's return but this injury might just be another lifeline for Hudon; one man's misfortune is another one's opportunity. Kind of ironic considering both diminutive players are friends but I guess Byron might (and that's a very big might) see it as a silver lining.
There was only one goal in the third and it was a breathtaking one. For a while, it looked like the Habs were going nowhere but then, that's exactly where Jesperi Kotkaniemi came from to tie things up. Domi was battling behind the net and managed to get him the puck in deep near the goal and the youngster just roofed it to fool the Oilers' goaltender...Those hands...Good grief those hands... The future looks better and better for number 15 and I can't wait to see him develop into a superstar because make no mistake, that is what he will be. For those of you who want to move Lehkonen, I'd be weary of doing that. Kotkaniemi is currently playing on a line with both of his fellow Finns and he's confirmed that he does enjoy being able to speak his mother tongue on the ice. When Armia was asked the same question, he said he could play with anyone but KK being younger, doesn't yet know that this is the politically correct answer.
When the final buzzer rang, both teams were tied up at 3 and we were in for some extra time. Of course, the Oilers started the OT with McDavid, Draisaitl and Nurse which is quite a trio to face... For a second, it looked like Edmonton would get a 2 against 0 breakaway but Jeff Petry made the mother of all comebacks and helped his goaltender to neutralize the menace. The play went back up the other way and Jonathan Drouin, who hadn't been a big factor in the game, flew up the ice with the puck, deeked his way in the slot and scored the game winning goal. Point, set and match Montreal Canadiens.
Max Domi got the first star of the game on the back of his one goal one assist performance and boy, does he like to remind us how much of a big piece of this team he can be. To be honest, I absolutely love Domi, but i'm not a big fan of D'ohmi...you know, his alter ego who takes meaningless penalties? We got an exemple of that in the second period when for some reason he took an Edmonton player in a headlock and chucked him on the ice earning himself a 2 minute penalty for roughing. Thankfully, there was no harm done but he really must keep that temper of his (or his dad) in check.
The Habs will be back on the ice on Tuesday when they host the Anaheim Ducks (good thing the mighty has been cut from the name because they are anything but these days). For now though, get the oven and cook that finger food! Wings, ribs, cheese stick it's all happening here as we await the start of Super Bowl LIII! Enjoy the game everyone!