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Game 65: Canadiens vs Canucks AKA Domi and Byron the Right Versions Until..

February 25, 2020, 9:46 PM ET [593 Comments]
Karine Hains
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Habs came rushing out of the gate tonight and looked like they wanted to make a statement: we're still here and this core can still produce results. It took all of 6 minutes for the Canadiens to open the score when Paul Byron went to the net and converted on a nice Domi feed from the wing. While you never know how a player will fare when he comes back from injury, it's fair to say that it's the good version of Paul Byron that the Canadiens got back. He's speedy, makes the right decisions and appears to have jump started the struggling Max Domi. Those two have looked like they are having an absolute blast in the last couple of games. A minute and a half after the first goal, the Canucks made an unforgivable mistake when they gave Shea Weber plenty of time to unleash one of his patented Weber rocket and that meant that the Canadiens were up 2-0...until they gave the Canucks a power play which took 6 seconds to strike and bring Vancouver back within one.

While the Habs dominated the second frame shots wise, the Canucks were the only ones to convert when Edler scored his 5th of the year on one of their 4 shots. The Domi line came out swinging in the 3rd and this time, it was Jordan Weal who took advantage of a Domi feed to put the Habs back in front. Unfortunately, Folin took a boarding penalty and much like in the first period, Vancouver's lethal power play didn't miss its opportunity and a minute and a half after Folin sat down, everyone was back to square one. From then on, both teams were prudent and clearly wanted to take at least a point away from this clash which did happen. In the end, the Canadiens had taken 40 shots but only managed to score 3 times on Demko...This is not a first this season, the Habs take plenty of shots but the finish is lacking.

For the stats buffs amongst you, this was the 20th time this season that the Canadiens headed to sudden death. It's amazing how many times they managed to squander a lead this year...While Byron and Domi played a great 3 periods, they messed up in OT and were unable to leave their own zone which eventually led to the Canucks taking the extra point thanks to Tyler Toffoli who was acquired by Vancouver earlier this month.

Tough night at the office for Ben Chiarot who committed 6 giveaways while Carey Price gave a couple of questionnable goals. As for Domi, he ends the game with 2 points, a +1 rating and 5 shots on goal. I really hope that he has turned a corner here and that Bergevin will manage to sign him to a bridge deal this summer. I know, he's had a rough season but I think this is a player you can build your team around and I hope I'm right. As for Drouin though...only one shot on goal tonight and he looks like last year's Drouin and that is not good news...
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