(Montreal) The Canadiens probably have a better record than they should, and that better record probably has something to do with the goaltending.
Generally speaking, when a team wins the shooting battle like this (here, the Jets had a 45-29 advantage in this regard), they end up winning the game, but not this time.
Not this time, because Jake Allen was imperial at the Bell Center on Saturday night, to the point of leading the Canadian to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets.
Jets who have tried pretty much everything, moreover; Nikolaj Ehlers alone put shots on net seven times. But like the Sultans doll in 1966, Jake Allen went no, no, no, no, no.
This is not the first time this season that goalkeepers have saved the club’s skin. It probably won’t be the last.
“I am perhaps surprised in that respect; yes there are three goalkeepers, but we have confidence in them, explained coach Martin St-Louis at the end of the evening. We know what they are capable of doing. We help them further, this time, it may not have appeared, but in general, I find that we are better organized to help them do their work. »
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Jake Allen
Jake Allen may not agree, he who spent long moments Saturday night wondering if there were players in front of him; Mr. Harris and Mr. Xhekaj, in particular, each had a rather difficult evening at the office.
But Allen doesn’t have much room for error, any more than the other two who share the net with him, but not at the same time. Allen, remember, had not played since his Monday night game in Buffalo.
“It’s a three-way system, and it won’t always be perfect,” noted the veteran goalie in the Bell Center locker room. But that’s what it is, and we have to accept it. You have to follow the plan for the coming weeks, you have to plan almost everything in advance, and above all you have to try to stay alert at all times.
“We have to be ready for the next departure. I don’t know the date of my next match, but we all have to be ready, all three of us. The other two guys impressed me too with the way they handled it. »
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Jake Allen
Now, will it last, and if so, for how long? We could ask this question after each match, and we will do so, firstly because we have to, then because logic leads us to believe that none of this can last. This three-way system, of course, but also these highway robberies, which allow the Canadian to win matches that perhaps he should not win.
Like this one.
“In general, I am happy with our progress,” added Martin St-Louis. I think it helps our goalies. But that’s a big reason that explains our success at the moment: it’s because we get important saves from them. »
It may not be an ideal recipe for success, but in the meantime, it works, and really, who can be against something that works?
Person.
Rising
Jake Allen
What more can be said ? The Canadian goalkeeper made 42 saves, including several very important ones.
Falling
Arber Xhekaj
A very difficult evening for him on the blue line, in addition to this punishment at the end of the match.
The number
2
Juraj Slafkovsky’s number of appearances in the third period.
In details
Guhle back…
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Kaiden Guhle (21) and Brenden Dillon (5)
After missing four games due to an injury, defenseman Kaiden Guhle was back in action on this magical Saturday night at the Bell Centre. Guhle started the match on the club’s second defensive duo, alongside Justin Barron, and he completed the match with two assists and a playing time of… 25:08! “I felt good,” said the young defender at the end of the meeting. I had the chance to rest, and it’s quite easy to get motivated for a game at the Bell Center on a Saturday evening! »
… Armia too
In addition to Guhle, Joel Armia was also back in action, having recently been recalled from the Laval Rocket in the American League, where he had time to collect four goals in four games. Since chance always does things well, or perhaps the gods of hockey, it depends, the Finnish striker was the author of the equalizing goal at the start of the third period, with his first of the season. “It feels good to score a goal,” he explained in the Bell Center locker room. Guhle’s pass was perfect, and it was a play of great skill on his part. »
Matheson injured
Defender Mike Matheson was unable to finish the game, having to leave the match at the end of the second period. He did not return afterwards, and at the end of the evening, the Canadian affirmed that it was an injury which would not be serious, since the defender should be able to leave with the rest of the squad. The team heads to Las Vegas on Sunday. The Canadian must face the Golden Knights on Monday evening.