Several Canadian players are experiencing slumps, but no one seems as struck by bad luck as Josh Anderson.
The Montreal club’s forward had a goal stolen late in the game by Jacob Markstrom and the Calgary Flames left the Bell Center after winning 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Markstrom finished the evening with 34 saves to his record. It notably extended the droughts of Anderson and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, who have still not scored this season.
“I’ve had moments like these,” recalled head coach Martin St-Louis. I have conversations with them. I try to keep things light a little to cheer them up. The effort is there, the chances are there. Sometimes it’s a difficult sport. »
The Habs have not scored more than two goals in regulation time in their last four outings (2-2-0).
“This kind of sequence will happen during a season,” insisted captain Nick Suzuki. We get chances and we have several players who can score. The puck will eventually go in. When Anderson scores or others score, they will gain confidence and they will be able to take advantage of their opportunities more often. »
Gustav Lindström scored the only goal for the Canadian (7-7-2). Samuel Montembeault stopped 27 shots.
Connor Zary had a goal and an assist while Nazem Kadri scored the other goal for the Flames (5-8-2).
“I think we deserved better,” St-Louis said. The effort was there. The commitment was there. It’s like that. »
Lindström was inserted into the Canadian’s lineup in relief of Jordan Harris. The latter suffered an upper body injury Saturday against the Boston Bruins.
For his part, striker Jesse Ylönen took the place of Michael Pezzetta.
The Canadian will play his next game on Thursday, when the Vegas Golden Knights are the visitors at the Bell Centre.
The most opportunists prevail
The spectacle was entertaining during the first 10 minutes of play, with both teams accumulating 15 shots on goal.
Cole Caufield hit Markstrom on the mask with a high shot from close range, while Brendan Gallagher narrowly missed a deflection into an open net.
The Flames opened the scoring 2:35 into the second period. Kadri made fun of Christian Dvorak’s coverage, then surprised Montembeault by shooting after spinning around.
The Canadian responded 17 seconds later. Posted behind the net, Dvorak joined Lindström, who took a one-timer. The puck bounced off defenseman Rasmus Andersson before crossing the goal line.
Markstrom showed up moments later, frustrating Jake Evans on a two-on-one run while the Canadian was shorthanded. He was lucky a little later, when Josh Anderson hit the crossbar.
Zary gave the Flames the lead again with 6:53 left in the second period. He completed a nice exchange started by Andersson and Martin Pospisil.
Andrew Mangiapane briefly gave the Flames a two-goal cushion at 4:10 of the third period. However, coach Martin St-Louis won a challenge, since the replays showed that there had been offside earlier in the sequence. The goal was therefore canceled.
Mike Matheson surprised Markstrom with a long shot midway through the third period, but it hit the post.
The Canadian then obtained a numerical advantage, but it was the Flames who knocked on the door during a two-man descent against the goalkeeper. Blake Coleman, however, missed the target after a pass from Elias Lindholm.
Markstrom put an exclamation point on his performance by stealing a goal from Anderson with his glove with 68 seconds left on the clock.