The numerous absences continue to force Dominique Ducharme to overtax certain players, but that does not change the result night after night.
Evan Rodrigues had one goal and two assists, Sidney Crosby had two assists and the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Montreal team 5-2 on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena.
The Habs have allowed five or more goals in their 10th meeting this season, despite another more than honest performance from goaltender Jake Allen. The latter made an eighth consecutive start.
Allen rejected 26 shots in front of the Habs net, but they lost their seventh straight game (0-6-1).
“It is certain that he plays too much, like other players who play too much and find themselves in situations where they should not be”, admitted dryly after the meeting.
“Tonight, I don’t think the final score reflects the pace of the game,” added the Canadiens head coach. I think we were competitive the whole game. “
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 gave 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.
“I liked their game tonight. It was our best trio, ”said Ducharme, obviously not having the taste of handing out flowers.
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.
Quebecker Kristopher Letang was credited with an assist and became the 43rd defenseman in NHL history to reach the career milestone of 600 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 mark five-to-four at 6:45. Rodrigues beat Allen with a lightning reception shot.
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.
Cloakroom echoes
Jeff Petry admitted to being frustrated with the situation the Canadiens find themselves in.
“There is nothing new to say. Yes, it is frustrating. They are always the same things. We don’t play as a team. We are looking for each other on the ice rink. Looks like there is no structure on the ice. “
Petry added, when asked what he had seen from the catwalk during his four game absence.
“We believe that everyone knows where to stand, but we don’t go to those places. We don’t make it easy for anyone on the ice, except maybe for the other team. “
Jesse Ylönen said he is more and more comfortable in the NHL.
“It’s been three games in a row and I feel more comfortable from one game to the next. It’s a different game than the one in the American League and it takes a while to adjust. […] I believe the players play the games better and if you make a mistake the puck will often end up in the back of the net. You have to be better in your management of the puck and your battles. “