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Niemi Can Shine too

January 15, 2019, 11:00 PM ET [111 Comments]
Karine Hains
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Carey Price having had heck of a game last night against the Bruins, Claude Julien decided to send the back-up in for the second game of this back to back and boy was he right to do so! Not only did Niemi win a third consecutive game but he made 52 saves (which is his personal best and one short of the team record) many of which were quite frankly spectacular. Remember Nemo's performance against the Stars on new year's eve? That was against a team that gave up on him and tonight, he was amazing against a team that waived him in November 2017...Perhaps he likes the motivation, whatever it is, what a performance!

The Panthers, who are still without a win in 2019, came out strong. They held a team meeting and were intent on winning this game to finish a long trip on a positive note but that was not be. They dominated the period with 16 shots to the Canadiens' 7 but they were only able to fool Niemi on a Hoffman shot off a grade A turnover signed by Michael Chaput. Yes, the same Chaput who allowed the Bruins to tie the game last night thanks to a delay of game penalty. Perhaps Julien will give Matthew Peca or Charles Hudon the nod on Friday...hopefully, he picks the former and not the later. Once again during the first period, Max Domi looked frustrated and got himself an unsportsman conduct penalty for trying to fight when his opponent just didn't want too. Lately, it has happened more and more that the wires got crossed in the forward's head and he got himself out of the game. Of course, it's frustrating when you've not put the puck in the net since December 9th, but he's been gathering points nonetheless, he's a good playmaker and if he keeps on working, the goals will come.

The Canadiens started the second period on the power play and 29 seconds later, Shea Weber buried one of his patented Weber Rocket straight by James Reimer. Even though everyone knows its coming, no-one can stop it...much like Ovechkin when he blasts it in in the exact same spot. Halfway through the period, Weber took a shot which missed the target but Philip Danault was able to collect it off the boards and put it behind Reimer to put the Habs ahead 2-1. Much like in the first, the Panthers had more shots and were menacing around Niemi's net but they just couldn't manage to score. It's also during this frame that Claude Julien decided to mix his line a bit. Many had been demanding that Domi be paired with players who are able to complete his plays and their voices were finally heard (either that of Julien finally realized that it was a good idea all by himself). Domi played the rest of the game alongside Tomas Tatar and Paul Byron and they were a threat in the offensive zone. The newly form combination allowed Domi to finally find the back of the net and make it 3-1 for the Canadiens near the 17 minutes mark. Domi's joy was as obvious as could be, he celebrated in style by pointing the net to say his goal was good (unlike the one that was waved off earlier in the game) much like Austin Matthews did nearly a year ago.




The Panthers gave it their all in the last period, they shot on Niemi's net 21 times but to no avail while the Habs were able to add 2 more goals. One came from Jesperi Kotkaniemi who ended up alone in front of Reimer, made him lay down with a pretty toe drag and put the puck in the net. This one is definitely going to end up on this week's highlights reel and might even be a candidate for the goal of the year.




Gallagher scored the 5th goal in an empty after Reimer had been pulled. The fact that the Cats pulled their goaltender when they were down by 3 just shows how desperate things are getting for them. Their goal to make the playoffs is slipping further and further away from them...

At the end of the game, the Canadiens had been outshot but they still skated away with the win. Goaltending was key and they also won 64% of the face offs which always helps. Shortly after the win, the Canadiens announced that Alzner was reassigned to the Rocket where he will join David Schlemko. The Canadiens have the day off tomorrow and the next practice will take place Thursday in readiness of the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. Let's hope we do not get to hear that bloody canon too often on Friday night...
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