If he is officially excluded from the playoffs, the Canadian can now have fun playing spoilsport, especially when his rivals are the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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Inspired by the masterful holding of Jake Allen, who repelled 49 of 51 shots aimed at him, the Habs prevailed against one of their sworn enemies by winning an emotional 4-2 victory last night at the Bell Center.
“I’m a little tired,” admitted the first star of the game who, for the third straight game, faced more than 40 shots from the opponent. My role is to stop pucks. I am proud of my performance and that of my team. »
After five starts in a row, Allen will certainly deserve a well-deserved rest. It is undoubtedly Samuel Montembeault who will keep the CH net tonight against the New Jersey Devils.
The best player
“When you play against big teams, your goaltender has to be the best player on the ice,” said Martin St-Louis. And Jake was tonight. »
The interim head coach of the Canadian, however, did not fail to point out that his team had experienced a false start against the Maple Leafs.
“We were on our heels at the start of the match, recounted St-Louis, but the last three or four minutes were reassuring. »
The CH did not register its first throw of the meeting (Mike Hoffman) until the 8and minute of the initial engagement. Then, with only five minutes to go in this first period, the visitors had directed 11 shots on goal against only one for the Habs.
“But hey, added St-Louis, it’s a great team victory. »
Four away games
The Canadian flew to Newark after yesterday’s game in anticipation of a four-game tour of foreign rinks.
After their duel against the New Jersey Devils tonight, the CH will face the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday and the Tampa Bay Lightning next Saturday. The Habs will reconnect with their fans on April 5 when the Ottawa Senators visit the Bell Centre.
Ylönen recalled
In addition, Jonathan Drouin, Brendan Gallagher and Ryan Poehling, all injured, were not on board the plane that took the team to New Jersey.
If St-Louis preferred to give a first try to defender Williams Lagesson yesterday, acquired from the Edmonton Oilers last Monday, it is not excluded that the Swede gives up his place Sunday evening to Justin Barron, this hope that the Canadian obtained from the Colorado Avalanche in the trade involving forward Artturi Lehkonen.
Finally, to compensate for the loss of Michael Pezzeta, who retired to the locker room in the first period without coming out, the Canadian recalled Jesse Ylönen. The Finnish forward has 30 points, including 12 goals, in 45 games with the Laval Rocket this season.