10 Thoughts: Still Waiting for Playoffs, Habs Lose to Sens

With the Demidov excitement in full swing, the Habs visited the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa with plenty on the line. The Senators could solidify their hold on their WC1 position with a win, while the Canadiens could mathematically punch their ticket to the postseason with a Friday night regulation win. In addition, a win by the Habs would have meant a sweep of the season series against yet another Atlantic Division rival.

This last point, along with a clear Montreal advantage in the crowd, appeared to really annoy the Senators who were the better team for the majority of the contest. Despite Samuel Montembeault’s best efforts, the Ottawa was victorious by a 5-2 score and now Montreal fans wait to see who will be in Saturday’s alignment. 

Habs Lineup

Cole Caufield — Nick Suzuki — Juraj Slafkovsky
Patrik Laine — Alex Newhook – Oliver Kapanen
Brendan Gallagher – Christian Dvorak– Josh Anderson
Michael Pezzetta – Jake Evans — Joel Armia

Mike Matheson – Alexandre Carrier
Kaiden Guhle — Lane Hutson
Jayden Struble – David Savard 

Samuel Montembeault 

10 Thoughts

1) The Habs were 3-0 against the Sens coming into this contest and did so with a heavy forecheck and winning physical board battles. I understand the coach’s desire to not change a winning combination but given what had made the team successful against the Sens, the decision to keep both Emil Heineman and Arber Xhekaj out of the lineup seemed strange to this writer. It was reported early in the evening that Heineman was available. 

2) The Senators came out hungry and winning battles. They set that tone early as Suzuki and Slafkovsky were caught in bad coverage and Shane Pinto scored a goal 28 seconds in the game. Four minutes later, Fabian Zetterlund won a board battle as he simultaneously faced Caufield, Armia, and Savard. This led to Dylan Cozens putting home a goal for an early 2-0 lead. 

3) The only moment in the first period where the Habs showed some life is when Gallagher and Anderson got physical with Tim Stutzle after the renowned diver pulled some cowardly play that really attracted the ire of the Habs’ veterans. Ottawa was more physical and simply better as they exited the period with a 14-5 shot advantage. 

4) The second period kicked off with a repeat of the first as Carrier and Matheson were a disaster in coverage as Michael Amadio found Ridly Greig in front for a 3-0 lead just after the first minute. The Senators would make it 4-1 with five minutes to play in the period when a point shot from Thomas Chabot bounced off three bodies to beat Montembeault so even the hockey forces appeared to be frowning on the Canadiens on this night. 

5) The Habs were able to stay in the game thanks to two goals in a second period where they actually outshot the home side 13-12. The first goal was a nice breakout by Struble that Armia accepted before finding an unmarked Dvorak who was coming off the bench. Dvorak was at full speed and used that to get a breakaway and home a goal five-hole. The second was Slafkovsky winning a board battle and quickly finding Suzuki in front of the net. Suzuki put it home quickly and the period ended 4-2 which was better for the visitors than what the pace of play suggested. 

6) Montreal got two consecutive power plays in the second period that could have changed the outlook on the game. They were quite dangerous on the first chance as Linus Ullmark made his best saves of the evening. The second advantage was a disaster and destroyed the momentum created by the first one. The bottom line throughout the game was that the Habs were not willing to pay the price to win. 

7) With roughly four minutes to play in the second, Hayden Hodgson dropped the mitts with Pezzetta. Despite it being a staged fight, it was an entertaining fight. Pezzetta ate some knuckles early but he stuck with it and landed quite a few of his own in the second half, leaving his opponent and his fist with some blood. Pezzetta likely won the decision, but it might not have been the best-timed fight. 

8) The good news for the Habs is that they didn’t give up an early goal in the third period. The bad news is that Laine was guilty of a penalty, so they still started the period on their heels, forcing Montembeault to continue a strong game to try to keep his team in the game. 

9) The Canadiens got their first real push of the period halfway through the third period. Ullmark got a favourable advantage when the official lost the puck and whistled with a clearly available puck near the crease. Despite this call, the Habs simply weren’t the better team, and Ottawa was able to push them off when scoring chances did occur. 

10) The Habs pulled Montembeault with 2:30 to play and the game’s whole picture was presented with a singular play when Pinto started within his own zone and simply outskated Matheson to a cleared puck. Pinto, who played a strong game, won the race and the battle to score the empty-net goal and end the contest. 

HabsWorld Habs 3 Stars

1st Star – Samuel Montembeault 

Montembeault had some strong moments throughout the game which kept the team in it much longer than they likely deserved. He was unable to steal this one, but frankly, this close to the playoffs, the coaches likely prefer that their team not get comfortable with their goaltending stealing games just yet. With that in mind, let’s give Montembeault his kudos and move on to the next clinching opportunity. 

Stats: 28 saves, 32 shots, 4.02 GAA, .875 save %, 59:46 T.O.I. 

2nd Star – Joel Armia 

It’s no secret that Armia has been playing injured, likely a wrist injury that has mainly been a problem in puck handling and his ability to shoot the puck. Armia might be getting healthier as he was able to get some shots off and made far decisive plays with and around the puck. An important development here, considering he was a key piece to the fourth line when it was rolling and getting that version of Armia is an important player to this team. Armia’s pass that sent Dvorak on his breakaway was what we saw regularly earlier this season and something the team needs if they want a chance against the Capitals.  

Stats: 1 assist, even, 2 shots, 14:00 T.O.I. 

3rd Star – Christian Dvorak 

Dvorak’s line was once again the most consistent line for the Habs on this night. Dvorak was able to get a goal on a nice pass from Armia, and his line was the most physical as they tried to get their team some momentum throughout the game.  

Stats: 1 goal, +1, 1 shot, 17:26 T.O.I.