The Montreal Canadiens snapped their four game losing streak with a near perfect road game, beating the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in overtime Thursday night.
The lines went into a blender, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield were split up and both seemed to respond to the move. They each had goals and even though they came on the powerplay while on the ice together, their play at 5-on-5 apart was solid.
“I didn’t just like Cole (Caufield) on the powerplay or in overtime, he was good 5-on-5 as well,” said head coach Martin St Louis. “He looked engaged and committed defensively.”
Changes on the blueline as well, Kaiden Guhle and Justin Barron were separated, likely in an effort to get a couple other struggling defenseman going, specifically Mike Matheson.
And Cayden Primeau got his second start of the season in his home state of Michigan. With four games this week it was smart to get him some game action.
Pluses:
- Great all around team effort and one of the better games start to finish of the season. On a couple of occasions they could have easily let things slip away, but stayed with the game plan. As perfect of a road game as you can play.
- Cayden Primeau was solid stopping 27 of 29 shots faced and gave his team a chance to win. Much like in previous games, the goalie needs to play near perfect for them to have a chance at to win. Maybe the JT Compher goal wasn’t great, but was it still a well placed shot.
- Mike Matheson, welcome back. Clearly there was an imposter wearing #8, because this looked more like the player we saw to start to year. He contributed a goal and two assists.
- Cole Caufield, another overtime winner. How many players are more dangerous to a score a goal in overtime than Montreal’s sniper? The list is a short one (no pun intended).
- Nothing on the scoresheet, but a solid showing from Juraj Slafkovksy. Many were pointing at him not getting shifts in the final moments of the game. This had little to do with Slafkovksy performance and more to do with St Louis wanting two players on the ice who can take faceoffs, especially with Suzuki struggling in the circle. Don’t worry, it’s going to be aright.
Minuses:
- Another goal taken away from Montreal because of the ability to challenge offsides… I might be on an island by myself on this one but I can’t stand it. Let them call it on the ice and if they get it wrong, too bad!
- Josh Anderson might never score again…
- Penalties came in bunches, four powerplays given to the Red Wings.
Montreal’s next matchup will be with the rival Boston Bruins on Saturday night back the Bell Centre.
thehabsblog.com 
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