Wasn’t it predictable that the Montreal Canadiens would lose the first game they play following head coach Martin St Louis saying they played their best game of the season?
Probably… They were okay but not great against an Arizona Coyotes team that has looks like one of the more improved teams early this season and lost 3-2. Montreal should have been hungrier against an opponent that played the night before.
“We did have a push (in the third) unfortunately they responded and pushed back,” said Brendan Gallagher. “But if you look at the game as a whole, they were the better team.”
Pluses:
- Brendan Gallagher scored his third goal of the season on the powerplay. Nice shot after a passing play with Alex Newhook and Tanner Pearson. It was Gallagher’s 400th career point and puts him on pace for 25-goals this season.
- Monahan continues his torrid start with his first goal at 5-on-5 this season. He took the puck right into a high danger area, and fired past Connor Ingram. The third line was dangerous once again.
- Jake Allen, again. Seems like the same story every time he’s between the pipes this season. Gave his team a chance to win and looked locked in.
Minuses:
- Patience is wearing thin with Juraj Slafkovsky. Looked lost again, was a spectator most of the night. Time for new linemates, or a new team (Laval)… What’s the hold up? Everyone can see it at this point. It’s early, but it’s hard to make an argument that Logan Cooley won’t be a better player than Slafkovsky.
- The second line in general, black hole. They got pinned in their own zone and created little offensively with the exception of a Josh Anderson solo rush here and there. Newhook has to go back to the wing and should play with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki when Christian Dvorak returns.
- Rafael Harvey Pinard got hurt twice, the second injury knocking him out of the game.
- Another five powerplays given to the opposition and the winner was scored on the powerplay.
- A beautiful offensive play was taken off the board because of the stupid ability to challenge offsides. Still hate that you can challenge offsides…
- Mike Matheson has looked off for two games and it’s not a coincidence it’s after he missed time in Saturday’s game and didn’t miss any time after being labelled day-to-day. Something is bothering him.
- Talking about Matheson, what a stupid play by Clayton Keller, clipping Matheson when he couldn’t protect himself. It wasn’t a head shot and they called a penalty, but it was dirty.
The Montreal Canadiens next opponent will be the St Louis Blues Saturday night at 7pm, wrapping up their three game road trip.
thehabsblog.com 
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