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In Hainsight: Not Depleted Enough to Give Up Against the Leafs |
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Follow me @KarineHains for all updates about the Montreal Canadiens and women's hockey
Toronto started strong and completely dominated the first frame, they scored on their first shot and added a second goal in a period in which they dominated shots wise 19-4. Often this season, the Canadiens dug themselves into a hole they couldn’t get out of after underperforming in the first, so most expected them to play dead at that point, but they didn’t.
They came out of the locker room like a team possessed and they flipped the game on its head, taking ownership of the 2nd. They put 19 shots on Samsonov’s net while the Leafs only tested Montembeault 8 times. Josh Anderson looked intent on showing Cole Caufield that there is a life after shoulder surgery and scored a beauty of a goal not even 2 minutes in. Then, at 13:45, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, or Lavallagher as some call him, scored a very Gallagher goal, taking a rebound in front of the net while paying the price. The Pezzetta, Belzile and Harvey-Pinard line had an impressive night, they even had to face the Leafs’ top unit and they did it well.
Kirby Dach also shone on the night even though he didn’t land on the scoresheet. More and more, the now 22-year-old is showing that he can be a center in the NHL. His zone entries are getting better and unlike earlier in the year, he is using his big frame and dishing out some hits, last night he landed 3. That was my main concern with him, the fact that he was shying away from contact, but it doesn’t seem to be an issue anymore. He took 4 shots on the net and landed 3 hits, putting his mark on the game.
As for the third frame, the Leafs regained control and bombarded Samuel Montembeault’s net with 14 shots while the Canadiens could only muster 6, but they just couldn’t beat him. In his last 7 games, Mounty has stopped 234 of 251 shots for an excellent save percentage of .932. For a team who’s thin in front of the net, he is making a case for himself as a potential number one while Caiden Primeau is riding the pine and watching him shine.
The Habs rewarded the Quebecer for keeping them afloat by winning the game in overtime, with Matthews on the ice, it was the most unlikely hero who settled the debate when Rem Pitlick scored his 3rd of the year. Let’s face it, the Maple Leafs would have won this game had it not been for Montembeault, but the goaltender is part of the team and those 2 points will be a boost to the team spirit.
For those hoping that the Canadiens crash and burn in the standing to get a better chance at landing Connor Bedard, there’s plenty of time left for that and it’s reassuring to see that even which such a depleted line-up, the Canadiens can still muster the strength to beat their old rivals who have a star-studded team.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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