The Montreal Canadiens had one of their worst performances of the season and lost to the Vegas Golden Knights 6-5 Thursday night at the Bell Centre.
“In Vegas we deserved better and tonight we deserve what we got,” said head coach Martin St Louis post game.
The score didn’t reflect the game. Montreal defended poorly, were outshot and severely outplayed.
And the game was put away by the Golden Knights following a brutal double minor assessed to Brendan Gallagher for high sticking. It might be time St Louis staples a player to the bench when it’s called for. He’s been hesitant to pull out that card so far during his time as head coach, but it could send an important message especially if it’s a veteran that rides the pine.
Pluses:
- Alex Newhook scored a nice goal on a deceptive shot where he was looking to pass at first. He had gone 13-games without a goal.
- Jesse Ylonen… Who is this guy?! Looked like a natural goal scorer with a strong finish on a breakaway. At some point, he should get more opportunity and a look higher in the lineup.
- Cayden Primeau played a tremendous first period. He made several saves from high danger areas and made 18-saves. Montreal’s young goalie didn’t deserve to be hung out to dry in his third start of the season.
- They did score five goals… Free wings!
Minuses:
- Six goals allowed. Yes, Vegas has a lot of offensive weapons but so many self inflicted wounds by Montreal. The game was a coach’s nightmare.
- Arber Xhekaj left in the second period and didn’t return. Looked like a shoulder injury (not the same shoulder that he hurt last season). It would be VERY surprising if he didn’t miss time.
- After a flashy game where he didn’t get any bounces against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, Cole Caufield was invisible.
- Brendan Gallagher’s double minor cost them the game. He was flat footed and could have been called for either high sticking or hooking. “It can’t happen,” said St Louis.
- Kaiden Guhle has been getting a ton of praise as of late. Not his best outing.
- Josh Anderson is never going to score again.
The Montreal Canadiens next opponent is the Boston Bruins Saturday night in a rematch of last week’s game.
thehabsblog.com 
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