The Canadian’s young defense was once again put to the test and despite a Jake Allen gala, the Montreal squad bowed out on Friday night at Little Caesars Arena.
Elmer Soderblom was able to beat Allen early in the third period and the Detroit Red Wings won their first game of the season 3-0 against the Habs.
The Red Wings played with energy and multiplied their assaults on the Canadian’s net at the start of the game. Had it not been for Allen’s brilliance, the case would have quickly been in the bag for the local team.
Allen also equaled a team record he set last March by repelling 25 shots in the first period.
The Canadian’s attack was never able to thank him. Ville Husso made 29 saves in his first start with the Wings, who signed him to a three-year, $14.25 million contract this summer.
Husso posted a fourth career shutout.
Allen finally stopped 37 shots in front of the Canadian net (1-1-0).
Michael Rasmussen and Olli Maatta added insurance goals in an empty net for the Red Wings (1-0-0). The latter offered a first victory in the NHL to their head coach Derek Lalonde.
Defender Kaiden Guhle temporarily left the game after his fourth appearance in the first half. He finally returned to the game after a few minutes in the second period.
The Canadian will play again on Saturday night, when he visits the Washington Capitals.
A story of perseverance
The Canadian attacked the Red Wings net in the first moments of the game, but the tide quickly turned in favor of the home team.
Allen scored his first scorching shot of the match after just over five minutes, stopping a Jakub Vrana shot with his right skate blade.
The Habs goalie was also vigilant at the end of the first period, finding his bearings after a scrum in time to stop a dangerous shot from Lucas Raymond.
Allen was less busy in the second period, but he had to make a few more spectacular saves. In particular, he stole a certain goal from Andrew Copp late in the engagement, lifting his stick over his shoulder to stop a shot from the Wings forward.
The Red Wings also manhandled a few Canadian players in the second period thanks to good shoulder shots. Jake Evans was shaken by a borderline check from defenseman Robert Hagg. For his part, Rem Pitlick took a hard tackle from Dominik Kubalik.
Allen finally failed after 2:33 of play in the third period, on the Red Wings’ 37th shot. Soderblom took advantage of a comeback after Rasmussen brought the puck in front of the net.
Husso was finally put to the test during a power play by the Canadiens midway through the final third. He made his finest save at the expense of Josh Anderson, stretching the mitt to close the opening.
Brendan Gallagher then escaped with just over five minutes to go, but Husso just deflected the puck off target.
Rasmussen nailed the Canadian’s coffin by scoring in an empty net with 61 seconds left on the clock. Maatta followed suit 13 seconds later.