(Ottawa) It took only 67 seconds in the second period and an ordinary Carey Price night to allow the Ottawa Senators to win 6-4 against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Posted at 10:15 p.m.
Updated at 10:48 p.m.
Parker Kelly, Josh Norris and Mark Kastelic hit the target back-to-back in the second period for the Senators and the damage was done.
“We’ll watch the video, but it was a few mistakes that cost us goals,” said Canadiens interim head coach Martin St-Louis. We played 58 very good minutes. »
The Canadian has therefore suffered an eighth loss in a row, including the last seven by more than one goal.
“Losses weigh heavily, that’s for sure,” admitted St-Louis. But there are three games left and we will keep pushing. »
Rem Pitlick scored a brace, while Cole Caufield, with his 20and of the season, and Joel Edmundson also scored for the Canadiens (20-48-11). Jake Evans had two assists.
Price stopped 20 shots. He allowed at least six goals in a second straight game for the first time in his NHL career and didn’t look too good on some of the Senators’ successes.
“It’s hard to get back into shape after a long absence, to become the goaltender he’s capable of being,” recalled St-Louis. It takes time to get back to the top of your game. »
Kastelic scored two goals, Kelly and Austin Watson each had a goal and an assist, while Alex Formenton also shone the red light for the Senators (31-41-7), who won a third straight game . Scott Sabourin was credited with two assists, Anton Forsberg made 44 saves.
Forward Michael Pezzetta, whose two-game suspension was over, and defender Jordan Harris have been added to the Canadian squad in place of Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Kale Clague.
The Habs players had a black number 10 crest on their jerseys in honor of the legendary Guy Lafleur, who died of lung cancer at the age of 70 on Friday.
Lafleur’s passing was highlighted by the Senators with a brief video montage and a moment of silence before the game.
The Canadiens will be back at the Bell Center on Sunday when they host the Boston Bruins.
In time to say
Kastelic opened the hostilities after 2:33 of play, scoring his first NHL goal, then immediately throwing the gloves past Michael Pezzetta.
The Habs responded with 4:03 to go, when Pitlick was forgotten in the slot.
There were a few scrums during the game, especially in the first half. Brendan Gallagher criticized Tim Stützle after the last game between the two teams, saying the young Senators forward had a tendency to play comedy. Stützle has often been the target of shoulder and stick shots from Canadian players.
The Senators regained the lead 44 seconds into the second period. Watson deflected a Nick Holden shot.
The Canadian then saw the Senators take control of the game with three goals in a span of 67 seconds. Kelly scored at 6:43, then Norris and Kastelic came back.
Price didn’t look particularly good on goals from Kelly and Kastelic.
St-Louis stopped the bleeding by asking for a time out. Caufield then moved the ropes 53 seconds later.
Edmundson then cut the deficit to 5-3 with 2:43 remaining in the second period, but Formenton replied 48 seconds later on a shorthanded breakaway.
Pitlick returned with his second goal of the game with 11:41 remaining in the third period. He scored on a return after a Gallagher pitch.
The Senators were then able to stifle the Habs’ comeback attempt.
Locker Room Echoes
Brendan Gallagher agreed that the Senators’ three quick goals sank the Canadiens.
“We did a lot of good things, but we lost the game in the second half. There was that moment when we weren’t able to keep the puck out of our net. But in general we had good legs. »
Rem Pitlick refused to say that the result had little importance in the current context.
“It’s not fun to lose. As an athlete, you have this passion, this fire in you. You are angry when you lose. But we will continue to work. There is no other option.
Cole Caufield admitted he was happy to have hit the 20-goal mark.
“It was a goal for me and I’m quite happy to have achieved it, especially after the start of the season that I’ve had. It gives something to build on next season. »