A brief moment of weakness undermined the Canadiens’ chances of getting back on the winning streak on Saturday night at the Canadian Tire Centre.
The Ottawa Senators scored three goals within 67 seconds in the second period and defeated Montreal 6-4.
The Canadian has thus suffered an eighth loss in a row, including the last seven by more than one goal.
Martin St-Louis’ squad had some good moments during the game, but the damage was done after Parker Kelly, Josh Norris and Mark Kastelic hit the target back-to-back in the second period.
Rem Pitlick scored twice, while Cole Caufield, with his 20th of the season, and Joel Edmundson also scored for the Canadian (20-48-11). Jake Evans had two assists and Carey Price stopped 20 shots.
Kastelic scored two goals, Kelly and Austin Watson each had a goal and an assist, while Alex Formenton also shone the red light for the Senators (31-41-7), who won a third straight game . Scott Sabourin was credited with two assists, Anton Forsberg made 44 saves.
Forward Michael Pezzetta, whose two-game suspension was over, and defender Jordan Harris have been added to the Canadian squad in place of Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Kale Clague.
The Habs players had a black number 10 crest on their jerseys in honor of the legendary Guy Lafleur, who died of lung cancer at the age of 70 on Friday.
Lafleur’s passing was highlighted by the Senators with a brief video montage and a moment of silence before the game.
The Canadiens will be back at the Bell Center on Sunday when they host the Boston Bruins.
In time to say
Kastelic opened the hostilities after 2:33 of play, scoring his first NHL goal, then immediately throwing the gloves past Michael Pezzetta.
The Habs replied with 4:03 to go, when Pitlick was forgotten in the slot.
There were a few scrums during the game, especially in the first half. Brendan Gallagher criticized Tim Stützle after the last game between the two teams, saying the young Senators forward had a tendency to play comedy. Stützle has often been the target of shoulder and stick shots from Canadian players.
The Senators regained the lead 44 seconds into the second period. Watson deflected a Nick Holden shot.
The Canadian then saw the Senators take control of the game with three goals in a span of 67 seconds. Kelly scored at 6:43, then Norris and Kastelic came back.
Price didn’t look particularly good on goals from Kelly and Kastelic.
The Canadiens’ interim head coach, Martin St-Louis, stopped the bleeding by asking for a time out. Caufield then moved the ropes 53 seconds later.
Edmundson made it 5-3 with 2:43 left in the second period, but Formenton replied 48 seconds later on a shorthanded breakaway.
Pitlick returned with his second goal of the game with 11:41 remaining in the third period. He scored on a return after a Gallagher pitch.
The Senators were then able to stifle the Habs’ comeback attempt.