Canadian 7 – Blues 4 | Christian Dvorak unlocks with three goals

(Saint-Louis) Do you like improbable statistics? The ones that blow your brain? Here’s one that ticks all the boxes.

In his first 26 periods this season, Christian Dvorak had not scored a single goal. In his 27^e, he managed three – in three shots! His first hat trick in the National League allowed the Canadiens to defeat the St. Louis Blues 7-4 on Saturday, in a game where the defense was only an afterthought.

Fidèle à lui-même, Christian Dvorak a célébré son exploit sobrement. Après son troisième but, compté lors d’un dégagement dans un filet désert, « il est juste resté dans le coin et n’a rien fait ! », s’est étonné Juraj Slafkovsky. « Moi, j’aurais célébré [rires]. But hey, it’s D-Vo. I really liked that. »

The veteran was no more exuberant in the locker room after the game. When asked by a reporter how he felt after scoring his first career hat trick, Dvorak simply replied, “It’s good. It had come close a few times before, but it’s good to have been able to go all the way, I think. »

Martin St-Louis was happy to see the efforts of his center player being rewarded. He was also happy with his team’s production on the power play. Two goals in three occasions, including one from Juraj Slafkovsky. If the Canadiens want to stay in the hunt for the playoffs this season, they will need more over-goals and a more diversified offense. Because before Dvorak’s hat trick, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield were responsible for almost half of the goals this season (11 out of 24).

The dynamic duo had another tough game on Saturday with three goals. And beautiful ones, too. An extra effort from Suzuki led to Caufield’s first goal. On the second, Suzuki served a sublime side pass to his teammate, hidden in the enclave behind the opposing defenders. A pass that Caufield described as “scary”, and that you will see again and again in the games of the week.

These two progress quickly together. They are accomplices like Han Solo and Chewbacca. Complementary like Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Inseparable like Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Moreover, in the locker room, they sit side by side. We will have to find a nickname for them.

Ideas ?

My colleague Guillaume Lefrançois proposes an amalgam of their first names. Nicole. I like. If you think you have found better, write to me.

The Nicole duo, therefore, was flanked by a new winger on Saturday, Kirby Dach. The latter did well. He was more effective than in the center, where he lost too many face-offs. Perhaps his mid-term future lies in a supporting role, alongside Caufield and Suzuki.

That wasn’t the only change in the lineup. Jonathan Drouin, Evgenii Dadonov and Rem Pitlick were all cut, in favor of Joel Armia, Michael Pezzetta and Juraj Slafkovksy.

Armia and Pezzetta did not tip the balance. Even Pezzetta has torn from the wing of Jake Evans. Not sure he scored points with his bosses. But Slafkovsky took full advantage of his opportunities. “He had his best game of the season,” said St-Louis. Not because he scored. Not because he played on the power play. Just because in his every presence, he went on the bases. He received a home run on the power play, and he took advantage of it. »

Rising

Christian Dvorak

Whitewashed since the start of the season, Christian Dvorak scored his first three goals during the third period.

Falling

Jake Evans

He won just one faceoff in 11 chances, and at even strength, he was on the ice for two quality scoring chances, against eight.

The number of the game

2

The number of goals of the Canadian in numerical superiority Saturday evening. That’s one more than all other games this season – combined.