The Montreal Canadiens began their regular schedule Wednesday evening at the Bell Center against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Samuel Montembeault already seemed to be in his mid-season form.
The Quebec goalkeeper, who was considered number 1 for the first time at the start of the campaign, was smoking hot with a 48-save shutout. Not quite finding their feet offensively, the Habs players did well with a 1-0 victory.
• Also read: CH members warmly applauded before the match
• Also read: Expensive evening at the Bell Center: “We sacrificed the summer trip for the opening game”
Heavily overlooked against the powerful Leafs, the Canadian needed a little miracle, which came in the form of his goaltender. Montembeault made key saves against Toronto’s famous top 4 attack. He was also saved twice by his posts.
Along the way, the Bécancour goaltender set a National Hockey League record for the most saves in a shutout to open the season. In Montreal, he was the first to record a shutout to start the campaign in 49 years. In 1975, Ken Dryden gave nothing away in an easy 9-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
For Cole Caufield, this game had great meaning, being his first with number 13. After opening the scoring in the first period, the small forward gestured to the sky, his way of paying tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau.
Caufield’s goal had another importance, since he scored it on the power play. The power play unit had not been very convincing in preparatory meetings… and it was not much better this time. In addition to the American’s magnificent one-timer which hit the mark, the Canadian was muzzled four times with an extra man.
For Caufield, it’s a goal in a third consecutive opening match. Among the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge, he is the first to accomplish this feat of arms since Pierre Larouche between 1979 and 1981.
The celebrations will have to be short-lived for Martin St-Louis’ men, who will visit the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Thursday evening.
Summary of the meeting
THIRD PERIOD
17:50 – The Maple Leafs remove their goaltender to attack with a sixth skater.
1:00 p.m. – Samuel Montembeault (MTL) makes his 39th save of the match and the “Olé! Olé! Olé” are heard.
10:30 – Alex Newhook (MTL) makes a very nice move by turning around to give himself a great chance to score, but the goalkeeper has the last word.
9:52 – Brendan Gallagher (MTL) passes the puck just over goalie Anthony Stolarz (TOR).
4:47 – Josh Anderson (MTL) is penalized for tripping Auston Matthews (TOR). Toronto power play.
00:00 – Start of the period
SECOND PERIOD
20:00 – End of period
14:01 – Max Pacioretty (TOR) goes to the box for a penalty against David Savard (MTL). Digital advantage Montreal.
12:33 – After William Nylander (TOR) in the first period, it was the turn of Auston Matthews (TOR) to hit the post.
10:35 – Oliver Ekman-Larsson (TOR) is sent on a breakaway as he leaves the penalty box, but Samuel Montembeault (MTL) pulls out the mitt.
8:59 – Double numerical advantage for the CH! Nick Suzuki (MTL) takes another punishment when Jake McCabe (TOR) trips him.
8:32 – Oliver Ekman-Larsson (TOR) is punished for an obstructive gesture towards Nick Suzuki (MTL). Digital advantage Montreal.
5:33 – David Savard (MTL) gives Max Domi (TOR) a helping hand, who was taunting him in the first period.
4:12 – Anthony Stolarz (TOR) steals a goal from Christian Dvorak (MTL), who tried to thwart him with a backhand shot.
2:38 – William Nylander (TOR) hits the left post with a quick wrist shot.
00:00 – Start of the period
FIRST PERIOD
20:00 – End of period
19:41 – The Canadian will finish the period shorthanded. Following a superb point-blank save by Samuel Montembeault (MTL) on Steven Lorentz (TOR), the Leafs player was hit illegally by Justin Barron (MTL).
16:59 – Alex Barré-Boulet (MTL) receives a punishment for hitting Nick Robertson (TOR) with a stick. Toronto power play.
12:59 – Kirby Dach (MTL) tries to prepare a play, but Anthony Stolarz (TOR) is watching. The Leafs goaltender blocks three shots in quick succession.
7:48 – MTL GOAL – Cole Caufield (MTL) scores the Canadian’s first goal of the season, on the power play, by shooting a one-timer to the right of goalie Anthony Stolarz (TOR).
7:09 – Connor Timmins (TOR) is penalized for a stick hit at the hands of Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL) entering the territory. Digital advantage Montreal.
3:59 – After a power play that yielded nothing, Emil Heineman (MTL) mows down Max Pacioretty (TOR) in defensive territory. Toronto power play.
1:16 – Max Domi (TOR) is found wanting for a harsh gesture towards David Savard (MTL). First power play for CH.
00:34 – Samuel Montembeault (MTL) is bombarded by three throws, but he resists.
00:00 – Start of the period