(Montreal) The Canadiens players continued to play with confidence and this time it earned them a victory on Saturday night at the Bell Centre.
Posted at 9:53 p.m.
Updated at 11:06 p.m.
The Montreal team benefited from the contribution of just about everyone and won 5-1 against the Ottawa Senators.
“I think that in the second period and especially in the third, we really controlled the game, which is not easy to do,” said the Canadiens’ interim head coach, Martin St-Louis. It’s nice when you’re able to do that as a team. We work hard to try to control the matches. »
Jake Evans provided a goal and an assist, Joel Armia and Brett Kulak scored their third of the season and Paul Byron his second.
Cole Caufield also hit the target for the Canadian (17-36-9). Jake Allen stopped 29 shots.
The Habs had won only one of their previous five games (1-2-2), often coming up short despite commendable efforts thanks to their casual confidence bordering on arrogance, or “swagger” as St-Louis and his players call it. .
“It takes that in this league, because it’s a very tough league. If you don’t have swagger, it’s hard to win or be productive, St-Louis insisted. If you just focus on the result, it’s easy to lose her. You have to evaluate your personal performance without focusing on the result. »
Josh Norris was the lone scorer for the Senators (22-35-5), who have just one win in their last five games (1-4-0). Filip Gustavsson made 22 saves.
Jonathan Drouin returned to action for the Habs after missing 22 games with a wrist injury. Josh Anderson (lower body) was also in uniform after a two-game absence.
Brendan Gallagher, injured Thursday against the Dallas Stars, and Laurent Dauphin gave up their place.
The Canadiens will be back in action on Monday night, when the Boston Bruins will be at the Bell Center. The face of the team may have changed a little, since the trading period will end at 3:00 p.m. the same day.
One-way
The Canadian quickly set the tone for the game, offering himself a few opportunities to open the scoring. Evans missed an open net and then Corey Schueneman was frustrated by Gustavsson after a fine individual effort.
Evans redeemed himself with 3:28 to go in the first period. He took advantage of a turnover caused by Michael Pezzetta to beat Gustavsson with a high shot from the side of the mitt.
The Senators replied with 69 seconds to go, while Jeff Petry was in jail. Norris completed a fine passing game started by Tim Stützle and Colin White by shooting into a gaping cage.
The Habs quickly took control in the second period. Byron scored at 2:42, after Pezzetta overpowered a long lob from Evans.
Caufield widened the gap to 4:23 on a two-on-one run. The 21-year-old American moved the ropes with a perfect shot into the top corner.
Senators head coach DJ Smith called a timeout to whip his troops, and the visitors managed to threaten Allen’s net a few times.
The Habs goaltender had to be vigilant twice against Adam Gaudette, the second time on a breakaway. Allen was also fuming against Stützle on a Senators three-on-one attack.
Armia made it 4-1 with 31.6 seconds left in the second period. He deflected a long Schueneman shot into the goal on a power play.
Allen remained alert in the third period despite the Canadiens’ comfortable lead. He frustrated Brady Tkachuk, who had been overlooked at the mouth of the net.
Kulak then turned the iron in the wound by scoring a spectacular goal at 8:14. He mocked Josh Brown before recovering the puck and cutting to the slot. He then foiled Gustavsson with a high shot.
Allen gave himself one last larceny with less than two minutes to go, pulling out the mitt to steal a goal from Tkachuk.
Locker Room Echoes
Paul Byron was happy to see the Canadian win in front of his fans for the first time since February 23.
“We were facing one of our rivals. The Senators work hard and I think we worked hard enough tonight. It’s nice to win in front of our fans. Our job is to play hockey and entertain people. I think the game was exciting tonight. »
Chris Wideman praised the qualities of his defensive partner, Corey Schueneman.
“He plays very well and I enjoy playing with him. I try to communicate well on the ice and he listens well. He receives information and makes good decisions. He also has a good shot. »
Josh Anderson believes his line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield can only continue to improve despite already having plenty of success.
“We all have different qualities, but we are also three players who can score. I think we are improving from game to game. We learn our tendencies, where to be on the ice. It takes time, but we want to keep making progress. »