Canadian 6 – Penguins 4 | audition season

It’s audition season. Who deserves a new contract? Who will stay? Who will leave?

“We still have a lot of time ahead of us,” said Kent Hughes on Tuesday during a press conference with the general managers of the National League. It’s true. Except that for young people who dream of a better fate in the National League and veterans at the end of the contract, it’s time to shine.

These are the players who stood out the most, Tuesday night, in the unexpected 6-4 victory of the Canadian against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Samuel Montembeault, Justin Barron, Jonathan Drouin, Denis Gurianov and Anthony Richard all contributed in their own way to ending the Habs’ seven-game losing streak.

Samuel Montembeault continues to play like the number one goalkeeper he aspires to become. Don’t just rely on the four goals allowed. The Quebecer finished the evening with 39 saves – a personal best since November – and the equivalent of a saved goal, according to the statistics site Evolving Hockey.

“Monty kept us in the game,” acknowledged Jonathan Drouin. At one point, I watched the shots. It was not equal. He played a big game. We have [accordé] four goals, but it could have been more than that. »

“We went through a rollercoaster of emotions,” added head coach Martin St-Louis. Montembeault probably made the difference. He has been very good to us. I’m happy for the group that we won. Tonight was not perfect, but the group needed this kind of result. Especially after the 8-4 thaw against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night.

Another who earns stripes is Justin Barron. The rookie defenseman, who started the season at Laval, is improving his cause from game to game. He contributed greatly to the attack of his team, in addition to having made some key plays in his zone, in particular an effective slide during a two against one. His long pass on Anthony Richard’s goal was exceptional.

“He played a very good game,” said Martin St-Louis. He participated in the attack. It’s not easy when you come back from an injury. I’m sure he will be happy with his game. Barron, who had missed the previous six games, finished the game with two assists. That now gives him six points in his last six games. Being one of the few right-handed defensemen in the organization will benefit him in the long run.

Jonathan Drouin, who will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, also had a satisfying game. His line, completed by Josh Anderson and Denis Gurianov, was the Canadian’s best. Drouin and Gurianov had the team’s best anticipated goal ratio at even strength (69%). In comparison, the Suzuki trio ended the evening with a ratio of around 10%.

“I love playing in Pittsburgh,” Drouin said. Been here quite a few times with Tampa. I’m used to this team. I know how she plays. Our line played well. »

The fact of being employed in the center, rather than on the wing, also appeals to him. “I’m more used to the center [qu’au début de ma carrière]. I had two years of ups and downs in this position. Good times. Less good ones. But at the age I am now, I’m more mature. I’m more ready to face players like tonight. He notably faced Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for about five minutes each.

Is he doing enough to deserve a contract extension in Montreal? I doubt. I think the management has already ruled on his case and will let him go. However, I’m confident that his play over the past two months – 17 points in 20 games – will give him a chance elsewhere in the NHL.

Another player who was pleased with his performance on Tuesday was Anthony Richard. The 26-year-old striker, who is out of contract at the end of the season, scored the winning goal in the third period.

“When the fourth line of any team, at any level, is able to contribute, it gives a boost to the team, he said. Especially when the game is tight and it’s a tie. We knew our ice time was going to be limited in the third period because we were away and we didn’t have the last change. The guys in the trio, we said to ourselves that we had to create something every time we were on the ice, but that we shouldn’t score against us. So to score a goal was doubly advantageous for our team. I was very happy that it was me. Since I came back [avec le Canadien], I had a lot of luck. I was glad this one came in. »

There are only 14 games left before the end of the auditions. Considering the large number of Canadian players with a precarious status, we risk seeing other surprising victories like the one against the Penguins.