The way was not perfect, but the Canadian started his campaign on the right foot thanks to an exceptional performance from his goalkeeper Samuel Montembeault.
Cole Caufield scored on the power play in the first period, then the Montreal team defended well for the rest of the game to finally win 1-0 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday evening at the Bell Centre.
Montembeault was perfect against the Maple Leafs’ 48 shots and recorded his second career shutout. He was also lucky on a few occasions, as the visitors hit the posts around him three times in the second half.
The Bécancour native admitted that he was nervous before the meeting. He quickly chased away the butterflies and had what he admitted was possibly his best career game in the NHL.
“I felt great. This morning, training had gone well. I was looking forward to that match, said Montembeault. During camp, things got better and better every day. I was ready for this match. »
Montembeault had to make one last save at the end of the game at the expense of sniper Auston Matthews.
“It happened quickly. I tried to go out and cover my angles, to be as big as possible, said Montembeault. The puck hit me in the middle. So I was in the right place. »
The Canadian had only two shutouts last season – both with Cayden Primeau in net. The first was successful at 53e match.
He also ended a streak of five losses against the Maple Leafs (0-4-1).
The Canadian (1-0-0) had not scored a goal in 30 power play opportunities during the preparatory calendar. He was 1-for-5 Wednesday night.
“Was it our best game? No, but we played a pretty good game, said Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis. When we think that [les Maple Leafs] took more risks because they were behind in scoring and they are counting on a dangerous attack. We bent without breaking. I’m proud of the guys. »
Anthony Stolarz made 26 saves in front of the Maple Leafs net (0-1-0). Maple Leafs number 1 goaltender Joseph Woll was not in uniform. He is bothered by stiffness in his lower body.
The Canadian will be back in action on Thursday evening, when he visits the Boston Bruins.
“It certainly gives us confidence going into tomorrow,” said Canadian captain Nick Suzuki.
A good suspense
After a presentation of the players on the traditional Fix you by Coldplay, but this time performed in particular by members of the Orchester métropolitain de Montréal, the Canadian quickly threatened during a stupid punishment against Max Domi.
Suzuki fired a dangerous one-timer, but Stolarz made the save.
It was during its second power play that the Habs opened the scoring at 7:48. After two good chances from Alex Newhook, the first unit hit the mark. Caufield completed a nice passing game started by Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovsky.
Dach amassed a 100e career NHL points streak.
Montembeault stood out at the end of the period. He conceded a return in the slot on a seemingly harmless shot from Ryan Reaves and he was alert to stop Steven Lorentz’s throw.
The Maple Leafs were more threatening in the second period, having a 13-6 advantage in shots on goal, not counting shots from William Nylander, Matthews and Oliver Ekman-Larsson that hit the posts around Montembeault.
The Habs goaltender was particularly agile at the expense of Matthews and Ekman-Larsson.
At the other end of the ice, Stolarz made his best save at the expense of Christian Dvorak, who stood out behind the defenders in blue.
The Maple Leafs bottled up the Canadian in his territory at the start of the third period, but he was unable to generate any real quality chances.
The Habs then got a few opportunities to widen the gap. Newhook was notably frustrated by Stolarz, when he appeared alone in front of the Leafs goaltender.
The Maple Leafs tried everything late in the game, replacing Stolarz with an extra attacker. However, Montembeault closed the door.