Canadian: reassuring for the future | The Journal of Montreal

BOSTON | The Canadiens already have their eyes on the future. Kent Hughes and Martin St-Louis have said more than once that the result is not the main objective. They are more looking to build a strong foundation for this team.

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For this first visit of the season to TD Garden, the Canadian did not win against his old rivals. The Bruins signed a 55^e victory by winning 4 to 2, thus approaching two gains of their team record (57) of 1970-1971.

But we will quickly forget the final result in the CH camp. We will remember the solid game of the first two centers, Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach.

Against the best team in the NHL, Suzuki and Dach each had a goal and an assist. Suzuki fired four shots at Jeremy Swayman, while Dach finished the game with three. But beyond the numbers, they also demonstrated their great vision of the game with multitudes of precise passes for their teammates.

In perfect health

In his second lower-body return game, Dach led his team’s forwards with 24 minutes of game time. Suzuki followed at 22:27.

For once, we could say that the Habs had two real centers number one and number two.

“I feel 100%. I said it before, I wouldn’t play if I didn’t feel perfectly healthy, Dach said. I feel good on the ice and I can play at my level. »

Intensity

The CH crossed paths with the Bruins for only the second time this season. But the two teams had not forgotten the rivalry. There were several questionable moves during this encounter. Mike Hoffman has also inherited a transformed face after a terrible blow to the face of winger AJ Greer.

“We don’t like each other,” noted defender Mike Matheson, who again played a strong game with a playing time of 28 min 55 s. The Bruins are our biggest rivals with the Leafs. It was a special match with passion. »

Martin St-Louis liked the effort of his team despite the loss.

“We played really well. It was one of our best games of the year. It was the fun to see, from the bench anyway. I’m really proud of the group. We’re not just there physically, we’re there mentally. We are connected. This is where you grow as a team”

What we noticed…

MERCHANT CLASSIC

Brad Marchand falls into the category of players hated by rivals, but that all teams would dream of having. In the first period, Marchand brought out his DNA of a Bruins guy by rushing on Rem Pitlick who had just hit Patrice Bergeron in the head. We do not touch a teammate, let alone a captain.

A SUMMIT FOR SUZUKI

Nick Suzuki scored his 22^e goal of the season by beating Jeremy Swayman at the end of the first period after a precise pass from Denis Gurianov. He thus achieved a personal mark for goals in a season. On this play, Suzuki also broke Swayman’s unbeaten streak. Author of two shutouts in a row against the Sabers and the Jets, the Bruins goalkeeper had not given a goal for 164 min 33 s.

IN THE TEETH

AJ Greer, a winger from Joliette, delivered a dangerous slash directly in the face of Mike Hoffman before a face-off. Jim Montgomery receiving a five-minute penalty and an ejection from the game. Hoffman came back into the game in second wearing a full visor.

EVANS BACK

Injured in his left knee on January 14 against the Islanders in Long Island, Jake Evans returned to action against the Bruins after an absence of just over two months. He played center on the third line along with Pitlick and Brendan Gallagher.

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Kirby Dash

Dach scored in a second straight game since returning He completed two perfect passes from Matheson and Suzuki Used at center against the Bruins, the former Blackhawks played an inspired game

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Joel Edmundson

Edmundson is not a shadow of himself this season He finished the game with a record of -3 against the Bruins Jake DeBrusk snuck between number 44 and David Savard on the locals’ second goal before beating Jake Allen on a breakaway

First period

1-Bos: Tyler Bertuzzi (5) (Coyle, Zboril)4:34
2-Bos: Jake DeBrusk (24) (Clifton, Bergeron)13:38
3-Mon: Nick Suzuki (22) (Gurianov, Dach)AN-19:41

Penalties: Marchand (Bos) (dou min) 7:50, Pitlick (Mon) 7:50, Matheson (Mon) 8:26, Clifton (Bos) 11:28, McAvoy (Bos) and Evans (Mon) (dou min ) 2:00 p.m., Greer (Bos) (update and inc) 5:08 p.m.

Second period

4-Bos: David Pastrnak (49) (Bertuzzi)2:36
5-Mon: Kirby Dach (14) (Matheson, Suzuki)AN-16:13

Penalties: Barron (Mon) 4:10, Matheson (Mon) 6:41, Hathaway (Bos) 15:07

Third period

6-Bos: David Krejci (16) (Clifton, Pastrnak)12:16

Penalties: Barron (Mon) 3:58

Shoot to the net

Montreal 11 – 14 – 7 – 32 Boston 8 – 6 – 6 – 20

Guardians:

Mon: Jake Allen (P, 14-24-3) Bos: Jeremy Swayman (G, 19-6-4)

Numerical advantages:

Mon: 2 in 5, Bos: 0 in 5

Referees:

Graham Skilliter, Furman South

Linesmen:

Travis Gawryletz, Trent Knorr

ASSISTANCE:

17,850