There is really nothing working this season for the Canadiens, who seem unable to afford anything positive.
Corey Perry and Ondrej Palat scored late in the third period and the Tampa Bay Lightning overthrew the Montreal team to win 3-2 on Tuesday night at the Bell Center.
The Canadian seemed in control so far, having limited opportunities to score visitors despite a reduced squad.
“It’s frustrating because we deserved better, that’s for sure,” insisted the head coach of the Canadian, Dominique Ducharme. Two games at the end… They took advantage of the chances they had.
“I think with the puck we created some good chances. Without the puck, we were in the right place for most of the night, added Ducharme, highlighting the positive aspects of the game. We wanted to play well in blocks of five. This is what we did for the majority of the evening. “
Only five Canadian players in uniform on Tuesday were also in uniform on July 7, when the Lightning won Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final to defend their title.
In addition, the Habs had 10 players on the sidelines for various reasons on Tuesday, including forwards Joel Armia and Tyler Toffoli, who have joined the long list of injuries in recent days.
“We have a lot of players who find themselves with an opportunity to play in a different role or a chance to play with the team,” said Ducharme. Everyone pushed for success.
“As much the players individually want to show that they can hold their own in this league, as much collectively, together, we were still pretty strong. “
The Lightning did not count on a perfectly healthy formation either, being deprived of star strikers Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov in particular.
Nick Suzuki scored a goal and an assist, while Mike Hoffman also hit the target for the Canadian (6-18-3), who suffered a fourth straight loss (0-3-1). Jake Allen stopped 24 shots.
Pat Maroon scored the other goal for the Lightning (16-5-4), who won a fourth straight game. Andrei Vasilevskiy repelled 21 shots.
Forward Laurent Dauphin and defender Kale Clague, obtained from the Los Angeles Kings through waivers on Saturday, played their first game in the Bleu-blanc-rouge uniform. Forward Cédric Paquette was also part of the Habs training.
The Canadian striker Christian Dvorak left the game in the second period and could therefore also take charge of the infirmary. He injured his lower body and Ducharme said he will undergo further examinations on Wednesday.
The Canadiens play their next game on Thursday, when they host the Chicago Blackhawks.
Perfect for 57 minutes
The Canadian got off to a good start, but the Lightning took advantage of a blunder from Clague to open the scoring after 10:31 of play. Clague missed a pass from behind his net and Maroon easily scored. surprised Allen.
The Habs goalkeeper redeemed himself a little later, however playing a bit of luck. He made saves with the handle of his stick at the expense of Perry and Palat.
The Canadian controlled the game on the return from intermission and took the opportunity to take a 2-1 lead.
Suzuki first completed a nice climb with Jonathan Drouin and David Savard, at 4:20. Hoffman then hit the mark at 7:08, immediately after Suzuki won a face-off in the attacking zone.
The Lightning recovered late in the second period and Allen had to be vigilant.
Allen first saved the skin of Ben Chiarot, who had just had his pants down by Perry. The Habs goalkeeper then managed to save the left leg on a point blank reception from Pierre-Édouard Bellemare.
The third period was Allen’s business. The Canadiens goaltender was clever at frustrating Alex Killorn twice during a quick rally with Gabriel Fortier.
Allen was also alert at the end of a Lightning power play, standing in front of Victor Hedman, who was rushing to the net. Hedman had hit the post a few moments earlier.
Meanwhile, Artturi Lehkonen wasted an opportunity to offer a more comfortable cushion to the Habs, seeing his shot graze Vasilevskiy during a breakaway.
Jonathan Drouin was barely unable to receive a long pass that would have allowed him to slip into an empty net and the Lightning finally made the Canadian pay for his lack of opportunism.
Perry sent everyone back to square one with 2:09 to go. He was lucky when a handoff from Steven Stamkos deflected against his right leg before ending up in the opening. Then Palat threw a cold shower on the spectators, in turn beating Allen with 38 seconds to go on the dial, after a two-on-one attack.
Cloakroom echoes
David Savard blamed himself for being trapped in the offensive zone, which led to a fatal two-on-one late in the third period.
“I was trying to keep the puck in their turf to keep the pressure on. There wasn’t much time left. He (Anthony Cirelli) hit me and I got caught (in the offensive zone). It was a two to one. That’s a shame. It costs us the game. If I had to do it again, I would make a different decision. “
Before the meeting, Savard had received his ring of champion of the Stanley Cup, he who lifted the precious trophy with the Lightning last summer.
“It was extremely special to see everyone again and to be able to come full circle, close this chapter. It was fun to finally see it and be able to put it on. It is special. I will keep fond memories of the moment. “
Laurent Dauphin did not hide his frustration after the meeting.
” It’s disappointing. We deserved better. We were two inches from a breakaway from Jo (Drouin) and a goal in an empty net, then we finally lost 3-2 in regulation. It is certain that it is disappointing. “
Nick Suzuki admits that a victory against the Lightning would have done a lot of good to the morale of the Canadiens.
“They beat us in the final last season and we wanted revenge tonight. We did a good job throughout the shorthanded game and five-on-five. We have generated opportunities. […] In the end, two games cost us the game. It’s the kind of bad luck that has been hurting us since the start of the season. “