(Pittsburgh) The Canadian was once again a generous opponent on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena.
Evan Rodrigues had one goal and two assists, Sidney Crosby had two assists and the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Montreal team 5-2.
The Habs allowed five or more goals in a 10e meet this season, despite another more than honest performance from goaltender Jake Allen.
After 30 games, the Canadian has only six wins to his record (6-21-3). He thus matches his worst total in this respect in his history in the NHL. He was 6-18-6 after 30 games in 1938-39.
The trio of Jonathan Drouin, Laurent Dauphin and Jesse Ylönen was the only one to offer an interesting performance for 60 minutes. Drouin had a goal and an assist, Ylönen scored a first NHL goal and Dauphin was credited with an assist.
Allen pushed back 26 shots in front of the Habs, who lost their seventh straight game (0-6-1). Allen was on his eighth consecutive start.
Kasperi Kapanen, Mike Matheson, Brian Dumoulin and Brian Boyle were the other scorers for the Penguins (15-8-5), who won a fifth straight game. Tristan Jarry stopped 28 shots.
Quebecer Kristopher Letang was credited with an assist and became the 43e defenseman in NHL history to reach the plateau of 600 career points.
Defenseman Jeff Petry was back in the game for the Canadiens after a four-game absence with an upper body injury. He replaced Chris Wideman, who was able to leave the team to join his wife, who was to give birth to their child.
The Canadiens will play their next game on Thursday, when they host the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Center.
Another frustrating evening
The story of the game could have been much different if the Canadian had taken advantage of his scoring opportunities in the first half, but Artturi Lehkonen, Nick Suzuki and Mike Hoffman took turns reaching the posts.
At the other end of the ice, Jason Zucker joined in the metallic symphony, also seeing his shot hit the post midway through the throw-off.
The Penguins were the only ones to score in the first period. Kapanen beat Allen by deflecting a leaping puck on the fly at 11:08.
The Canadian shot himself in the foot with three consecutive penalties early in the second period. The Penguins were unable to capitalize on a 1:43 five-to-three streak, but then hit the bull’s-eye five-to-four at 6:45. Rodrigues beat Allen with a smash hit reception.
Drouin, however, replied 14 seconds later, mocking Jarry after a fine forward failure by Dauphin.
The Penguins returned with 8:33 left in the second period. Matheson moved the ropes with a long shot, while Allen’s eyesight was clouded.
However, the Canadian closed the gap before entering the locker room for the second intermission. Ylönen scored with three seconds left in the period, following a good staging by Drouin.
The Penguins quickly restored their two-goal lead. Dumoulin surprised Allen with a long landing shot. Again, Allen’s eyesight was clouded and never saw the puck.
Boyle then nailed the Habs ‘coffin by adding the Penguins’ fifth goal at 9:38.