Even though Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky continued their excellent momentum in recent games, the Montreal Canadiens lost 4 to 3 against the Washington Capitals on Saturday at the Bell Centre.
The Canadian captain extended his streak of games to 10 with at least one point on his tying goal in the third period. Slafkovsky, for his part, collected a point for an eighth straight game, as he collected an assist on his teammate’s success.
In difficulty for several weeks, Jake Allen was shaky on the Capitals’ first goal, scored by Quebecer Anthony Mantha at the start of the match. He then conceded three more goals during the match, finishing his night of work with 30 saves.
You have to go back to December 18 to see number 34 allow less than three goals in a game.
Arber Xhekaj, thanks to a cannonball, and Alex Newhook also scored for Montreal.
Martin St. Louis’ men had the opportunity to come back late in the game, enjoying a power play with less than two minutes to go, but the Capitals defense held on.
Besides Mantha, TJ Oshie, Sonny Milano and Aliaksei Protas made the red light shine for the visitors. Moreover, former CH captain Max Pacioretty, who played his first game at the Bell Center since June 24, 2021, collected an assist on the Milano net.
Alexander Ovechkin, for his part, had the opportunity to shake things up for a seventh game in a row, but he failed to find the fault. The Russian, however, was complicit in Oshie’s goal.
The Habs will be back in action on Wednesday at the Bell Center against the Buffalo Sabres.
SUMMARY
THIRD PERIOD
20:00 – End of the meeting.
18:33 – Tom Wilson receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
11:57 – GOAL WAS 4-3 The Capitals are buzzing around the net. Aliaksei Protas finally manages to outwit Jake Allen. His fourth of the season gives Washington the lead again.
09:45 – BUT MTL 3-3 Nick Suzuki hits the target on the power play. His 20th of the season allows Montreal to tie the game. Juraj Slafkovsky and Mike Matheson get assists.
08:40 – John Carlson receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
03:27 – GOAL WAS 3-2 Sonny Milano skillfully redirects Max Pacioretty’s pass behind Jake Allen. His fifth of the season gives Washington the lead again.
00:00- Start of the period.
SECOND PERIOD
20:00- End of period.
16:15 – BUT MTL 2-2 Alex Newhook grabs a loose puck and manages to beat Darcy Kuemper. His eighth of the season allows Montreal to tie the game.
00:00 – Start of the period.
FIRST PERIOD
20:00 – End of period.
1:00 p.m. – Aliaksei Protas receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
10:00 – WAS GOAL 2-1 TJ Oshie hits the target on the power play. His 10th of the season gives Washington the lead again.
09:05 – Joel Armia receives a penalty. The Capitals will play on the power play.
05:04 – BUT MTL 1-1 Arber Xhekaj beats Darcy Kuemper with a sharp shot. His second of the season allows Montreal to tie the game. Joshua Roy and Joel Armia are accomplices.
03:40 – WAS GOAL 1-0 Anthony Mantha jumps on a throw return and opens the scoring. His 17th of the season gives Washington the lead.
00:00 – Start of the game.
In front of the net
Darcy Kuemper Record: 11-12-3 / Goals allowed average: 3.17 / Efficiency rate: 89.4%
Jake Allen Record: 5-10-3 / Goals allowed average: 3.63 / Efficiency rate: 89.5%
Training of coach Martin St-Louis