Jake Allen delivered a simply incredible performance in net for the Montreal Canadiens, helping the team register a surprising 6-3 victory over the Penguins on Saturday night in Pittsburgh.
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The goalkeeper of the Habs gave himself the airs of Carey Price by making 47 saves in front of the insistent players of the “Pens”. No goalie has blocked more shots in a game this season than Allen to add a win to his record.
In the third period, Allen had a streak like his match. Right after a face-off, the New Brunswicker blocked Sidney Crosby from the pad before pulling the mitt out in front of Evan Rodrigues.
Motivated by this feat of his teammate, Artturi Lehkonen beat Casey DeSmith moments later. The Finn has hit the target for the third time in his last four games.
After a first period where the Habs defended a lot, Jonathan Drouin blackened the scoresheet at the end of the second engagement. Intercepting a puck before setting off on a breakaway, he skillfully slid the disc between the goalie’s pads. The Quebecer had not scored in his last 14 outings.
Immediate response
As Lehkonen served a penalty, Evan Rodrigues closed the gap for the Penguins. The reply from the CH was not long in coming, as Christian Dvorak accepted a nice rebate from Sami Niku in front of the net to give his team back the lead, 32 seconds later.
Attacking six skaters late in the game, the home team struck twice, courtesy of Jeff Carter and Sidney Crosby. Again, the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge was quick on the trigger by scoring three goals in empty cages. Josh Anderson (twice) and Tyler Toffoli were the authors.
Mattias Norlinder was in the lineup for a second straight game. The Swede is slow to collect a first point in the National Hockey League, but he made a very important play in the second period. As a puck pierced Allen’s wall, the defenseman stretched his stick to keep the disc from crossing the red line.
As recently as November 18, Pittsburgh served a severe 6-0 correction to the Canadiens at the Bell Center. Dominique Ducharme will be able to breathe a bit and prepare his men to cross swords with the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.