(Montreal) The Canadian struck three times in the first period and it was enough to slip away to victory, Wednesday night at the Bell Centre.
Posted at 10:29 p.m.
Kirby Dach scored twice, Samuel Montembeault made 31 saves and the Montreal team defeated the Vancouver Canucks 5-2.
The Canadian had defeated the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in a shootout on Tuesday, while the Canucks defeated the Ottawa Senators by a score of 6-4.
Only one team seemed well organized on the Bell Center ice during the first two periods on Wednesday.
Nick Suzuki, Arber Xhekaj and Dach scored in the first period for the Canadian (7-6-1).
Luke Schenn and Nils Hoglander replied in the third period for the Canucks (4-7-3). They were, however, unable to complete the ascent.
Mike Hoffman also hit the target for the Canadian in the second period before seeing Dach come back to the charge in the final third.
Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko had a rough night and stopped 24 shots.
Forward Michael Pezzetta was added to the Canadiens’ lineup for the second time this season. He replaced Juraj Slafkovsky, who was suspended for two games by the NHL for a dangerous check on Matt Luff on Tuesday against the Red Wings.
The Canucks lost forward Tanner Pearson midway through the second period.
The Canadiens will play their next game on Saturday, when the Pittsburgh Penguins will be at the Bell Centre.
An insurmountable lead
The Canucks were punished after a good first sequence and the Canadian took the opportunity to open the scoring after only 55 seconds of play.
Suzuki hit the mark with a quick shot from his favorite spot at the top of the face-off circle to the left of the keeper.
The Habs returned to the charge at 8: 47. Xhekaj surprised Demko with a long shot after a face-off won by Sean Monahan in Canucks territory.
Dach added for the Canadian with 7: 37 to go in the first period. He took advantage of JT Miller’s nonchalance in his territory to block his clearance with a good forecheck. Even though he missed his shot, Dach took advantage of the surprise effect to beat Demko between the pads.
It was enough for the spectators to start making fun of Demko by applauding the Canucks goaltender each time he blocked a weak clearance in his direction.
The Canucks had better moments in the second period, but Montembeault stood like a wall in front of the Canadiens’ net. He made his finest save late in the engagement, moving to his right to frustrate Conor Garland.
Meanwhile, Hoffman had added a fourth goal on the clock for the Canadian. He beat Demko with an accurate shot on a breakaway.
Also, Demko had not helped his cause with supporters of the Canadiens, attacking Brendan Gallagher during a scrum.
Schenn finally put the Canucks on the clock at 4:45. Montembeault never saw his shot from the point due to the traffic in front of him.
Hoglander took advantage of a comeback after a pitch from Elias Pettersson to bring the Canucks within two goals of the Canadian with 11:03 to go.
Miller and Quinn Hughes each hit the post on a Canucks power play, then Dach stopped the bleeding by beating Demko for a second time in the game with 4:58 left on the clock.