The Canadiens went 5-13-8 against their Atlantic Division rivals last season, but are off to a good start this fall.
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Cole Caufield scored twice, Samuel Montembeault stopped 24 shots and the Montreal hockey club defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-1.
The Habs thus ended a series of nine defeats against the Senators (0-8-1). He had not beaten his rival from the Canadian capital since March 19, 2022.
The Canadian faced three section rivals to start the season. He has a 2-1-0 record, after also beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 1-0 on Wednesday at the Bell Center, then losing 6-4 to the Bruins on Thursday in Boston.
“That puts us in!” They are three good offensive teams and we had a trip,” admitted Montembeault.
Caufield became the first player since Tomas Plekanec in 2014-15 to hit the target in each of the Canadiens’ first three games of the campaign.
Emil Heineman, with his first career goal, and Alex Newhook also shook things up for the Canadian. Juraj Slafkovsky had two assists.
“We put pucks deep in their zone and we didn’t commit many turnovers, especially compared to Thursday. It was a lot better,” said defenseman Mike Matheson.
Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson had another strong game and collected his fifth career NHL point in five games.
“He understands where to find the spaces and has the skills with his stick to find the spaces,” said head coach Martin St-Louis about the new darling of the fans. His qualities allow him to extend possession of the puck. »
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Cole Caufield (13) became the first player since Tomas Plekanec in 2014-15 to hit the target in each of the Canadiens’ first three games of the campaign.
“You can make a lot of plays on the ice, but his skills allow him to find the best play. And that’s what good players do: they find the best plays,” added St-Louis.
Tim Stützle scored the only goal for the Senators (1-1-0). Linus Ullmark made 22 saves.
Heineman was back in the Canadiens lineup after skipping his turn against the Bruins. Alex Barré-Boulet was left out.
The Canadian instead widened the gap to five on five, at 15:03 of the first period. Caufield found the opening over Ullmark’s right shoulder with a precise shot from a difficult angle. The Senators bothered the Canadian in the second period, having a 12-4 advantage in shots on goal.
The Canadian will play his next game on Monday, when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Bell Centre.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Sam Montembeault (35) stopped 24 shots during the match. He had to be vigilant to keep his team in the game, particularly alert against three shots from Noah Gregor.
Standards found
The two teams exchanged a few pleasantries at the start of the meeting, however avoiding any excess.
The Canadian opened the scoring at 10:36, with one second left on a power play. Christian Dvorak joined Heineman, alone in the slot, and the 22-year-old Swede scored with a one-timer.
“I’m going to remember this for a long time. It was incredible. It’s hard to describe, Heineman said of the crowd’s reaction when his first NHL goal was announced. I’m glad we won too. It’s a good day! »
The Senators found themselves down a man again when Artem Zub was punished for a stupid double-check against Josh Anderson, at the end of a long scrum around the visitors’ net when Ullmark was unable to cover the puck.
Oliver Kapanen had two great chances during the Habs’ power play, but failed to take advantage of them.
PHOTO DAVID KIROUAC, USA TODAY SPORTS, PROVIDED BY REUTERS
Oliver Kapanen (91) vs. Shane Pinto (12)
The Canadian instead widened the gap to five on five, at 15:03 of the first period. Caufield found the opening over Ullmark’s right shoulder with a precise shot from a difficult angle.
The Senators bothered the Canadian in the second period, having a 12-4 advantage in shots on goal.
Montembeault had to be vigilant to keep his team in the game. He was particularly alert against three shots from Noah Gregor – the first time on a point-blank deflection, a second time on a return and a third time when the Senators forward’s shot deflected against the blade of the Senators’ skate. defender Kaiden Guhle.
The Canadian found his bite at the start of the third period. Ullmark frustrated Kirby Dach, installed in the slot. Then, the Senators goaltender played lucky when Matheson hit the post on a penalty shot.
The Habs redeemed themselves a few moments after the end of a numerical advantage. Newhook was able to advance into the slot and beat Ullmark on the shield side at 3:50. The Senators finally broke through Montembeault’s wall 1:41 later. Stützle scored with a precise shot into the top of the net.
Montembeault thus gave in for the first time this season on the 67e shot aimed at him.
“I think I’m confident, that I see the puck well,” Montembeault said. Tonight, the guys did a good job, especially on the penalty kill. »
Caufield, however, restored the Habs’ three-goal cushion at 7:43. He pushed a loose puck into the goal after Ullmark stopped Nick Suzuki, who had escaped.
Montembeault made some good saves at the end of the game. Among other things, he twice frustrated Shane Pinto on point-blank shots.