Despite playing their worst game of the season, the Montreal Canadiens were still able to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 Wednesday night at the Bell Centre. Thanks to the heroics of Carey Price, the team was able to extend their win streak to eight games and improve their record to 9-0-1, the best in the NHL. The rest of the team had a difficult time shaking off the rust as they had last played October 29th, a 2-1 win over the Toronto Maples Leafs. The Canucks dominated the play for the first half of the game, outshooting the Canadiens 13-3 in the first period and 22-3 just six minutes into the second period. Midway through their legs started to move again and Nathan Beaulieu got the Canadiens started with his first goal of the season, jumping up on the play to give the home team a 1-0 lead. Before the period ended, Torrey Mitchell finished a pretty passing play by the fourth line to give the Canadiens a 2-0 heading into the second intermission. If it were not for bad luck, the Canucks would not have any luck at all as Alexander Radulov was awarded an empty net goal as he had lost control of the puck and was then slashed but the referee decided that because he was slashed he was not able to pot the empty netter himself.
Radulov is awarded the goal after Edler takes the penalty with the net empty.#Canucks lose 3-0 pic.twitter.com/sFiIXsjUxr
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) November 3, 2016
Puck props and flops:
Props:
Carey Price - What more is there to say about the best goaltender in hockey? Price single handedly kept the Canadiens in the game as he withstood the Canucks onslaught. Vancouver chose the wrong night to throw everything at the opposing goalie. His ability to make saves look easy is as much confounding as it is outstanding. The Canadiens are a better, deeper team in 2016-2017 than in recent years past but they still need their best player to steal games for them.
Q: Beaulieu called this game a "wake-up call" for the team. Do you see it that way?
— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) November 3, 2016
Price: I'm pretty awake #Habs
Flop:
The rest of the team - It was a collective poor effort for the first half of the game. The Canadiens had no legs, no intensity and no desire to compete. The tenth game of the season was certainly a trap for the Canadiens and every opponent will only be coming harder, wanting to be the first to hand them their first loss in regulation. They cannot afford to complacent and not prepared to start a game. Sooner or later it will catch up to them.
Prop:
Nathan Beaulieu - He scored his first goal of the season and it could not have come at a better time as he tries to earn back his spot on the Canadiens top defensive unit. Expectations have been high on Beaulieu to contribute offensively ever since he was drafted in 2011. The potential has always been there and this year he is becoming more consistent and making smarter decisions with and without the puck. Beaulieu is playing some very good hockey alongside Greg Pateryn on the third unit but he seems to play best when he has additional responsibility and time on ice.
Nathan Beaulieu scores his 1st ever goal inside the Bell Centre. #Habs pic.twitter.com/cPc7WfhbNR
— Peter Alper (@peteralper99) November 3, 2016
Flop:
The Canadiens second and third lines - The team is rolling four lines but they are getting very little in terms of offensive contribution from lines two and three. If they want to keep the first line in tact since it is working, perhaps it is then time to swap centers and try Tomas Plekanec with Max Pacioretty and Andrew Shaw. While I really like Artturi Lehkonen and believe that he will continue to improve and grow accustomed to the NHL, I would not be surprised to see Daniel Carr replace him in the lineup upon his return to Montreal.
Note:
Daniel Carr and Joel Hanley recalled from the St. John's Ice Caps after their game last night. Mark Barberio did not get the call as the Canadiens would risk losing him on waivers if they decided that they did not want to keep him up after Zach Redmond returns from injury. When and if the Canadiens do decide to recall Barberio, it will be to stay.
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