At the end of the evening, when the outcome of the match was no longer in doubt, the fans began chanting the goalkeeper’s name.
(Re)read our coverage of the match
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It affected the goalkeeper in question.
“There are no words to describe this,” sighed Cayden Primeau. It’s a Tuesday night, in a special arena… just to be able to play here, I think it’s surreal. »
Yes, this evening was Primeau’s. It was he who led the Canadian to this 3-0 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets, with a total of 41 saves, often spectacular.
We also note that this is his second zero in a row at the Bell Centre, in what was only his fifth home start this season. A zero which was also acquired with 41 saves doesn’t happen often; only Jacques Plante, José Théodore and Carey Price managed a shutout with more saves (42) in Montreal.
Primeau, a young man of few words, had an easy smile in this locker room, but not a triumphant tone. “Nothing changes for me,” he replied when asked if the recent departure of Jake Allen will not make his life a little more complicated. I will continue to try to help the team win. But seeing the fans support me like that means a lot. We dream of this kind of evening. »
The issue, the real one, has disappeared for a long time, and will not make a comeback like Elvis in 1968, and besides, the Elvis who was here on this Tuesday evening ended up leaving the building too.
So what remains of this too long season will be used to take notes for later, and it is here that we remember that what remains will be important for Cayden Primeau.
“He played really well, he was ready for that match,” explained coach Martin St-Louis. The Blue Jackets were throwing a lot and everywhere, but we still managed it well, and when they had a few chances to score, Cayden was there.
“It’s an opportunity for him, the management has gone in the direction of a two-goalie system, it’s a message for him, and it’s a chance to have more rhythm in his presences in front of the net . »
David Savard was also impressed.
I think this is the best match I’ve seen from him. He was the one who went to get the victory for us. He wasn’t our best, but he kept us in the game.
David Savard
We will of course understand that these Blue Jackets are not to be confused with the 1984 Oilers, and that, like those of the Canadiens, their fans will indulge in abacus simulations over the coming weeks. But all the same, Primeau was good, spectacular, and in the context of a lost season, there are no small victories.
There are only two left, therefore, and Cayden Primeau will finally have a real opportunity to show off.
“I tried to show them that all season so nothing changes,” he added. I’ll continue like this. It was a huge match, but I’m focusing on the next one…”
Rising
Joshua Roy
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Joshua Roy (89)
Cayden Primeau was the star of the match, but with his 4e goal of the season, Roy offered himself a 3e goal in his last 5 matches.
Falling
Josh Anderson
Another match where we don’t feel very involved; he has 3 points in his last 11 games.
The number
98
The number of shots attempted by the Blue Jackets towards the Montreal net.
In details
When the coach and the player say the same thing
Joshua Roy sat at his locker, headphones screwed on his head, for his post-match interview at 98.5. He puts down the microphone, then we hang it up for a little last one, simply to ask him if he saw his life flash before his eyes as he went to stand in front of the net at the moment when Arber Xhekaj, the man with the 107 shot miles an hour, rushed forward. “You don’t really think about it at the time,” assured Roy, who deflected the shot in question to score. “No matter who shoots, it was my job to go in front of the goal, and I was there. In junior, I went there, but a little less, I was more the guy who controlled the puck in the offensive zone. I need to improve this. I saw this evening that it is beneficial. » A few minutes later, it was Martin St-Louis’ turn to speak on the subject. And the explanation of coach looked a lot like the player’s. “On both ends of the ice, Josh has the intelligence to do what the game asks of him at that moment. He was the first down, he saw we were playing up high, and he stopped in front of the net. At that time, that was the job. Even if he’s not a guy who’s used to being there, it’s your job, you’re the closest. » Obviously, Roy understands what his coach is asking him.
Not the goalkeeper’s fault
The Canadian did not play his best game, but fortunately for him, the Elvis who defended the Blue Jackets net was more the one from 1975 than the one from 1961. Elvis Merzlikins did not seem to be in his right mood , as evidenced by his record of three goals allowed on four shots, spread over 5 min 48 s. Even if he took Merzlikins out of the match in favor of Daniil Tarasov, Pascal Vincent defended his starting goalkeeper. “I changed goalkeepers to change the momentum. I don’t think it was Elvis’ fault, but I wanted to act right away. The first goal is a turnover. The second, we are shorthanded. The third one, we shot ourselves in the foot,” summarized the Blue Jackets head coach.
It continues for the penalty kill
Funny moment during Martin St-Louis’ pre-match press briefing. A colleague begins his question by emphasizing that the Canadian is 1er in the NHL shorthanded since the end of February. “Oh yes, really? », exclaimed a devilishly enthusiastic St. Louis. It should be remembered that before this successful streak for the Canadian, which began on February 27, the team was at 32e and last place in the NHL on a numerical penalty since the hiring of St-Louis in February 2022. Tuesday, the Habs held the Jackets’ five-man attack in check, allowing 11 shots in 8 minutes. A good part of these shots, however, came from the periphery, making Cayden Primeau’s work easier. The CH skaters also had their say by blocking 32 shots, including a few shorthanded. “Joel Armia blocked a whole one,” Kaiden Guhle rightly pointed out. Armia returned to the bench on one leg after this sequence, and seemed to be in pain in his right leg. He made only one appearance in the 17 minutes remaining in the match. We won’t fall off our chairs if he gets medical leave on Wednesday.
Guillaume Lefrançois, The Press