Securing four consecutive wins proved difficult for the Canadiens, as they faced the Blue Jackets just before Christmas. Despite an energetic start and a brief lead in the third period, a late goal sealed a 5-4 loss. Meanwhile, Patrik Laine’s candid remarks about losing culture in Columbus stirred controversy, resulting in his early exit due to injury. While the second line struggled, key contributions from Jake Evans and Joel Armia highlighted the ongoing identity crisis within the team.
A Challenging Quest for Victory
Securing four consecutive wins is no easy feat, especially when you don the Canadiens’ jersey. The Tricolore was presented with a rare chance to achieve this for the first time since February 2022.
However, two days before Christmas, the Blue Jackets had no plans to grant such a wish. From the opening whistle, the Canadiens’ opponents made their intentions clear by targeting the crease and pressuring goaltender Samuel Montembeault.
The Bécancour netminder was in the midst of his tenth straight start, marking a personal high this season. Admittedly feeling weighed down in his gear, he valiantly held his ground, but the energetic first period from the home team surely took its toll on his stamina.
Despite the challenges, the Tricolore managed to stay competitive until the very end, even taking the lead early in the third period. However, in the dying moments of the game, Kirill Marchenko struck again, marking the fifth goal against Montembeault and sealing a heartbreaking 5-4 defeat for the Canadiens.
Patrik Laine’s Bold Statements
Laine in the Spotlight
As the weeks progress, we continue to unveil the character of Patrik Laine, beyond just his eye-catching fashion. His candidness offers a refreshing departure from the clichés that once filled the Canadiens’ locker room, especially during Marc Bergevin’s era.
This honesty, however, seems to have ruffled some feathers in Columbus, where Laine has spent roughly four seasons. His former Blue Jackets teammates were likely unsettled by his recent comments, where he expressed being “tired of losing and giving up as early as December to focus on the next season,” adding that the organization seemed “too comfortable with the idea of losing.”
Such sentiments may have contributed to his decision to join the NHL and NHLPA Player Assistance Program earlier this year, though that remains speculative.
Regardless, his fiery remarks resulted in a rough night on the ice. During his six shifts, Blue Jackets players targeted him aggressively, leading to a body check by Sean Monahan and Dante Fabbro that took him out of the game due to an upper body injury. This was a disheartening conclusion to a day that began with him being recognized as the NHL’s third star of the week.
Lineup Dynamics and Performance
Identity Crisis in the Lines
On paper, the Canadiens’ second line features Alex Newhook, Kirby Dach, and Patrik Laine. However, the real impact has come from Jake Evans, Emil Heineman, and Joel Armia, who have consistently scored goals for four consecutive games. This time, it was Evans and Armia who found the back of the net.
These goals were crucial, allowing the Tricolore to equalize and even take the lead, rather than being mere consolation points. The same was seen in their previous matchups against the Red Wings.
In addition to his scoring contributions, Evans excelled in the faceoff department, winning 14 out of 16 battles (an impressive 88%). Martin St-Louis recognized his efforts, sending him out as Montembeault was recalled to the bench.
On the other hand, Dach’s line has been silent for six games now. Last night was particularly tough for the Albertan, as he missed an almost open net—not once, but twice. At least he managed to avoid a negative rating for the night, which is a small silver lining.