The Montreal Canadiens conceded four goals in the space of seven minutes and lost 4 to 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday evening at the Bell Centre.
The Habs’ disastrous streak began in the early moments of the second period. Max Domi opened the scoring by deflecting a point shot behind Samuel Montembeault’s back.
Less than 20 seconds later, Auston Matthews scored his 64th goal and amassed his 100th point of the season.
Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann then added to the visitors’ lead. The success of the second ended Montembeault’s match. The Quebec goaltender was replaced in front of the net by Cayden Primeau, after allowing four goals on 12 shots.
Before the end of the middle period, Nick Suzuki gave fans a reason to celebrate. The Bleu-Blanc-Rouge captain took advantage of a numerical advantage and a superb relay from Juraj Slafkovsky to score his 33e in 2023-2024. This is also his 20e goal since the beginning of February, which places him third in the NHL in this regard.
Cole Caufield also added his two cents to this crazy second period. The sniper completed a game from Mike Matheson brilliantly. It was his third goal in as many matches.
The Canadian will return to action this Sunday. He will be visiting Madison Square Garden for a duel against the New York Rangers.
SUMMARY
3RD PERIOD
17:51 – CH removes its goalie to play with six skaters
9:01 – Joel Armia goes to the dungeon for hooking
7:05 – Good luck counting from Tanner Pearson (MTL) and breaststroke comrade thereafter
0:00 – Start of the third period
2ND PERIOD
8:00 p.m. – End of second period
18:32 – GOAL – Cole Caufield (MTL) scores in a third straight game
9:06 – GOAL – Nick Suzuki (MTL) responds and opens the Habs counter
7:54 – GOAL – Bobby McMann (TOR) adds more and it’s the end for Samuel Montembeault (MTL) who was replaced in net by Cayden Primeau (MTL)
7:25: Michael Pezzetta (MTL) and Ryan Reaves (TOR) drop the gloves, advantage to the Maple Leafs representative
7:20 – GOAL – Matthew Knies (TOR) scores the Leafs’ third
2:38 – GOAL – Auston Matthews (TOR) plays lucky and doubles the Leafs’ lead
2:21 – GOAL – Max Domi (TOR) scores against his former team
0:00 – Start of the second period
1D PERIOD
8:00 p.m. – End of first period
13:29 – Nick Suzuki (MTL) hits the post
12:45 – Ryan Reaves (TOR) pushes a rival on Samuel Montembeault (MTL), but more fear than harm for the CH goalkeeper
2:40 – Good scoring chance from Cole Caufield (MTL), but Ilya Samsonov (TOR) has the last laugh
0:00 – Start of the first period