(Montreal) The Canadian had several reasons to want to win his last game of the 2021-22 season and he did it in a big way, offering a light balm to the fans after an execrable campaign.
Posted at 9:58 p.m.
Updated at 11:14 p.m.
Jordan Harris, Mike Hoffman and Cole Caufield scored on their first three shots on goal as the Montreal team defeated the Florida Panthers 10-2 Friday night at the Bell Centre.
The Panthers, winners of the Presidents’ Trophy as the best team in the NHL during the regular season, had given several team stars time off.
Forwards Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Claude Giroux were notably left out. Also, forward Anton Lundell and defenseman Gustav Forsling weren’t rushed to the rink even though they were in uniform.
Poor Jonas Johansson, third in the hierarchy of Panther goalkeepers, was sent to the slaughterhouse.
The players of the Canadian thus managed a fireworks for the last game in the career of the manager of the equipment Pierre Gervais after 35 years in the organization.
They also offered a first victory in five starts to Carey Price since his return to the game on April 15.
“I think this win has special value for him,” said Canadiens interim head coach Martin St-Louis, who confirmed his goal of being back behind the bench next season. Carey wanted to come back at the end of the season. In his first games, he did not receive offensive support.
“Top players are usually very hard on themselves. To end it like that, I’m happy for him. »
Caufield used the night to score a first career hat trick.
Brendan Gallagher, Christian Dvorak, Jake Evans and Mathieu Perreault each had a goal and an assist, while Tyler Pitlick also hit the target for the Canadiens (22-49-11), who had their worst campaign since 1939- 40.
Despite everything, the spectators cheered their favorites at the end of the meeting.
“The fact that the fans supported us despite the difficult times, we appreciate it enormously,” said St-Louis. We felt it tonight, it was our way of saying thank you. We owed it to them to finish strong and that’s what we did. »
Ben Chiarot and Noel Acciari offered the timid reply of the Panthers (58-18-6). Johansson made 27 saves.
The Canadian, who finished the campaign at 32and and last place overall in the NHL, will conduct its end-of-season review on Saturday morning. General Manager Kent Hughes will be among the speakers.
The last will be first
The Canadian quickly took his way to go. Harris kicked things off with his first NHL goal 1:57 into the game. Hoffman pulled away at 4:18, then Caufield scored his first goal of the night just 12 seconds later.
Gallagher returned to the charge at 12:23, on the power play, following a cross pass from Perreault.
The Canadian’s lead could have been even bigger after 20 minutes, but Alexander Romanov reached the post, then Evans ran into Johansson moments later.
Chiarot gave the Panthers a glimmer of hope by closing the gap to 4-1 with 1:37 to go in the first period, but Caufield got the ball rolling after 1:33 in the second period.
Perreault then scored from the face-off circle at 3:55. Evans and Dvorak also scored before the end of the second period, continuing to take advantage of the Panthers’ largesse to boost their stats.
Caufield completed his hat trick at 8:12 of the third period, then Pitlick scored his first goal of the season 1:39 later.
With a “10” on the board, onlookers began to celebrate, chanting “Guy! Guy! Guy! in honor of Guy Lafleur, who passed away on April 22.
“I have always believed in higher forces, in the Gods of hockey. It’s rare to have 10. I’m happy for him,” said St-Louis.
Acciari added the Panthers’ second goal with 5:05 left on the clock. It didn’t spoil the party in the Bell Centre.
Locker Room Echoes
Cole Caufield was very happy to see the season end on a high note.
“The evening was enjoyable for everyone. We were playing for important members of the organization. It’s a great way to end the season. »
Caufield said he could be proud of having turned things around after a very difficult start to the campaign.
“It was frustrating and it was hard to hear the negative comments about me. I learned a lot, about perseverance, about the need to find the motivation in yourself. »
Equipment manager Pierre Gervais had good words about Carey Price.
“It is the most beautiful day of my life after those when my four children were born. I’m happy for the players, for Martin St-Louis and the coaches. I’m very, very, very happy for Carey Price. He is an extraordinary man. Forget the keeper, the fact that he is the best in the world. I often rubbed shoulders with him early in the morning in the locker room. He is an extraordinary guy. »
Pierre Gervais also praised the organization of the Canadiens.
“The years have passed so quickly. And they went well because the organization of the Canadian is extraordinary. The Molson family and the Gillett family, before, people don’t realize how every day they want to win, they put all the effort to win. It doesn’t always work, but you have to be inside the organization to know that every day, they want to win, they want the fans to be happy. »