(Montreal) For the second time in less than three weeks, the Canadian ended up breaking in front of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi moved the ropes in the sixth round of shootout and the Montreal squad lost 4-3 on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre.
The Habs were therefore unable to avenge a 6-2 loss suffered on February 16 in Raleigh.
On Tuesday, he squandered a 2-0, 3-2 lead. He was also unable to take advantage of a successful obstructionist challenge.
Alex Belzile and Michael Pezzetta each had a goal and an assist, while Mike Hoffman also hit the target for the Canadian (26-33-5), who suffered a fourth straight loss. Jake Allen stopped 36 shots.
Jesper Fast, Jaccob Slavin and Brady Skjei replied in regulation time for the Hurricanes (42-12-8). Brett Pesce had two assists.
Antti Raanta allowed two goals on 10 shots in the first period, then gave way to Frederik Andersen after intermission due to a possible lower-body injury. Andersen made 13 saves.
Chris Wideman was back with the Canadiens’ defensive squad after nursing an upper body injury. He had missed his last eight games. Frédéric Allard has ceded his place to him, who was ceded to the American Hockey League on Monday.
The Habs will host the New York Rangers on Thursday night.
Equal duel
The Canadian quickly threatened the opposing net, as Hoffman got a great chance after about two minutes of play, but Raanta made the save.
Belzile finally opened the scoring at 10:17 of the first period. He took advantage of a comeback after a leaping shot from Pezzetta.
Nick Suzuki escaped moments later, but was joined from behind by Slavin and lost his balance. The captain of the Habs finished his race in the back of the net, but without having scored.
Raanta then lucked out when Chris Tierney hit the post after a favorable jump from the boards following a shot from Rem Pitlick. It was on this streak that Raanta appeared to get injured, even though he finished the period.
The Canadian widened the gap with 3: 44 to go in the first period. Jonathan Drouin took advantage of the fall of Jalen Chatfield to charge to the net. Hoffman followed the play and completed by shooting into an open net.
The Hurricanes responded 15 seconds later with a two-on-one attack. Slavin outplayed Allen on the shield side.
The visitors then tied the game 2-2 after 60 seconds in the second period. Skjei was able to fire into a gaping cage after a cross pass from Brett Pesce.
In turn, the Canadian responded quickly, taking the lead 1:49 later. Pezzetta hit the bull’s eye after a nice drop from Tierney.
Scoring chances were scarce for the remainder of the second period, although both teams played with intensity.
Jesse Ylönen came close to widening the gap on the return from the second intermission, but he hit the post.
Peter Stastny scored early in the third period, but the Hurricanes goal was quickly canceled following a challenge from coach Martin St-Louis. NHL video officials have ruled that Derek Stepan prevented Allen from doing his job by falling against the Habs goaltender.
Allen pulled off the stoppage with about seven minutes to go, rolling with his pads to frustrate Slavin.
These efforts were in vain, as Fast eventually tied the game with 3:38 left on the clock. He took advantage of a comeback after a long shot from Pesce.
Kotkaniemi finally decided in a shootout.