An unsuspected hero emerged Tuesday at the Bell Center. Evgenii Dadonov scored twice in the Montreal Canadiens’ 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
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The Russian striker’s smiles were as rare as his nets since the start of the campaign. However, he doubled his production by threading the needle twice in the middle period.
As for him, Samuel Montembeault shone during this fifth consecutive start between the posts of the Canadian. He stopped 25 pucks en route to his ninth win of the season ー a new career high on the Bettman Tour.
Unpredictable CH
On the one hand, the best team in the Western Conference, in good health, which had lost only one of its previous nine games.
On the other, the sixth worst formation in the circuit, which has just lost the services of three regular attackers, Jake Evans, Joel Armia and Juraj Slafkovsky.
We had the right to expect a very long evening at the Bell Center, but the Jets instead fell into the tricolor trap, like the New York Rangers on Sunday.
After conceding the first goal of the game, a success from Kyle Connor on the power play, Martin St-Louis’ men tightened their game in the defensive zone and in transition to take the upper hand.
In front of his parents and against his brother Morgan, Justin Barron served perhaps his best assist in the National Hockey League career, on the goal that created the tie. He spotted Dadonov at the other end of the offensive territory to allow the Russian winger to draw on reception and register his third goal of the season.
Moments later, Barron made himself an accomplice of another unloved CH striker. Mike Hoffman demonstrated his marksmanship skills by beating Connor Hellebuyck in the top section to give his team the lead.
Dadonov then jumped on a rebound to give CH a 3-1 lead. Josh Anderson completed the score by taking advantage of a Kirby Dach-inspired breakthrough in the third period.
In addition, at the end of the middle period, Cole Caufield received his first penalty minutes of the season. He tripped Josh Morrissey.
The CH greets ECJ
Moreover, before the opening face-off, the Habs saluted the exploits of members of the Canadian team that won gold at the last World Junior Hockey Championship.
Unsurprisingly, CH hopefuls Joshua Roy and Owen Beck were treated to the warmest welcome. Assistant coach Stéphane Julien and Quebecers Tyson Hinds and Nathan Gaucher were also recognized.
The Habs will also play their next four home games. Thursday, the Florida Panthers will visit the Bell Center.