The Montreal Canadiens managed to rise up to the occasion as they defeated the streaking Los Angeles Kings 4-1 at the Bell Centre in what was one of their most complete games of the season. Despite leading the NHL with a 11-1-1 record and 23 points heading into Thursday night’s match, the Canadiens were struggling having been especially outplayed and outshot in their last five games. Head coach Michel Therrien decided that it was time to shake up the lines and made regulars David Desharnais and Greg Pateryn healthy scratches while inserting call ups Sven Andrighetto and Joel Hanley into the lineup. Phillip Danault was promoted from the fourth line to become the third line center while the demoted Max Pacioretty joined him on the wing along with Andrew Shaw.
Paul Byron is certainly enjoying his time on the first line with Alexander Radulov and Alex Galchenyuk as opened the scoring for the Canadiens in the first period. Byron took advantage of Radulov’s hard work and drive to the net to put the puck past Kings goaltender Peter Budaj.
Fantastic puck handling by Radulov leads to yet another Paul Byron goal. 1-0 #Habs pic.twitter.com/Rc6GhSoEWD
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 11, 2016
Daniel Carr scored what would prove to be the game winning goal as he tipped in an Andrei Markov shot from the point to give the Canadiens a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission. Phillip Danault added a goal in the second period while Tyler Toffoli scored a powerplay goal in the third period to cut the lead to 3-1. Alex Galchenyuk would go on to score an empty net goal to make it a final 4-1 win for the Canadiens.
Puck props and flops:
Actually, just props today.
The coaching staff - The first period was perhaps the Canadiens best of this young NHL season. The players came out ready to play from the moment the puck was dropped. All of their in practice paid off in real time game decisions as the forwards finally supported the defence on a consistent basis and they were able to cycle the puck in the offensive zone and maintain possession. Their decisions regarding the lineup changes were spot on as not one Canadiens had a bad game or poor effort.
Phillip Danault - He has been one of the Canadiens best forwards over the past five games and was rewarded with the opportunity to play as the third line center, a position that he has not played since the 2015-2016 season. His speed and size came in handy against the Kings and won 78% of his faceoffs, not to mention scoring a big goal. One game does not make a season but Danault’s play was incredibly encouraging that perhaps the Canadiens have a true two way third line centerman. Chicago Blackhawks fans were upset that they lost Danault at last year’s trade deadline. Canadiens fans are now understanding why…
Alex Radulov - He has perhaps earned the most props of any forward in my columns but it is deservedly so. He has brought his lunchpail to work every game. Radulov’s compete level is off the chart and he is relentless on the puck. Not to mention his incredible skill and ability to find the open man. It was often said that Radulov was the best player not in the NHL and there was certainly good reason for that.
Jeff Petry - Petry just might be the glue that keeps the Canadiens defence together. He is a jack of all trades that can play in any situation and play 20-22 quality minutes night in and night out. Against the Kings Petry played 22:29 minutes, was a +3, had an assist as well as four hits and two blocked shots. All is a regular night’s work for the rearguard.
Tomas Plekanec - He might not have gotten onto the scoresheet but I thought that it was one of his best games of the season. His linemates for the night were Sven Andrighetto and Brendan Gallagher and they spent much of the night hemmed in the Kings zone and applying pressure while cycling the puck and creating chances. Plekanec was aggressive on the puck and involved in the play. He has playing well as per usual defensively this season but this was his most complete effort to date. If keeps this up the points will follow.
Carey Price - For once he had a relatively easy night as the Canadiens limited the Kings to 24 shots on net. He was tested the most in the third period when the Canadiens got into penalty trouble and made perhaps the save of the year:
Ridiculous Carey Price save #9001 pic.twitter.com/AMK2ze4V1E
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 11, 2016
Sadly though, there was a bit of a dark cloud cast over the Canadiens win as the passing of Leonard Cohen, Montreal’s own poet laureate was announced. In honour of one of Montreal’s finest citizens, I leave you with this brilliant Tim Thompson montage featuring one my favorite songs by Cohen, “Dance Me to the End of Love… which was used to set up game three of the Canadiens vs Bruins playoffs in 2014:
I would be remiss though if I did not take a moment on today, Remembrance Day to acknowledge, thank and remember all those who have served and given their life to protect us and democracy:
In honour of #RemembranceDay & those we will never forget; the late #LeonardCohen reciting John McRae's iconic poem #Lestweforget pic.twitter.com/ajkeWGkYEx
— Canada Council (@CanadaCouncil) November 11, 2016
Cheers and follow along! Follow @Jenbcutler