The Canadian erased a two-goal deficit in the third, but still lost the flag, Saturday night at the Bell Center, in a duel between two teams in the bottom of the general classification of the NHL.
Marcus Johansson scored in the shootout and the Seattle Kraken defeated Montreal 4-3.
Johansson was the only shooter to move the ropes in a shootout. It was the 14and player in all to start and he scored on the backhand.
The Canadian had been the victim of unfavorable jumps on the first two goals of the Kraken, but he played luck on the equalizer of Nick Suzuki late in the third period. He still suffered a second setback in a row.
“I really liked our first period. I think we played very well in the first period, analyzed the interim head coach of the Canadiens, Martin St-Louis. It is certain that these are two leaps that put us a little behind. »
“Our second period was “so-so”. We didn’t control the puck enough on the power play and even though our five-on-five game was okay, it took us off the pace. But I’m glad we fought in the third and it was pretty exciting at the end. »
Alexander Romanov had a goal and an assist, while Michael Pezzetta also hit the target for the Canadian (15-35-8). Samuel Montembeault made 32 saves.
Yanni Gourde, Ryan Donato and Jared McCann scored for the Kraken (18-37-6), which ended a four-game losing streak. Johansson also had two assists and Philipp Grubauer stopped 30 shots.
The match was played without restriction on the number of spectators admitted. It was the first time since December 9 that the Bell Center was not subject to a capacity limit due to measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Defender Joel Edmundson was playing his first game for the Canadiens this season, after missing the first 57 games due to a back injury.
“He kept it simple, he was physical and he was tough,” St-Louis said of Edmundson, who was employed for 16:38. He will continue to regain his match form. »
To make room for Edmundson in its roster of 23 players, the Canadian put forward Cédric Paquette on waivers. The Habs also announced during the evening that the name of defender Kale Clague had been placed on the injured list. The latter was hit in the face by a puck during practice on Friday.
The Canadian will take over the collar on Sunday evening, when he visits the Philadelphia Flyers.
Edmundson will be left out for the duel against the Flyers so as not to overtax him when he returns to the game. Defender Corey Schueneman should be recalled from the Laval Rocket and play the game.
The affair of a few games
Before the meeting, pianist Serhiy Salov and cellist Katia Brahina offered an interpretation of Conceived, by John Lennon, as a message of peace sent in the heart of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Canadian also paid tribute to Canadian Olympic medalists Kim Boutin, Miha Fontaine, Marion Thénault, Steven Dubois, Pascal Dion, Maxime Laoun, Jordan Pierre-Gilles, Charles Hamelin and Max Parrot.
The Habs quickly knocked on the door, but Cole Caufield was frustrated twice by Grubauer on shots from close range.
For his part, Artturi Lehkonen reached the post on a one-timer during a power play.
The Kraken finally opened the scoring at 9:26 of the first period, outnumbered. Gourde made defender Chris Wideman lose control of the puck, who foolishly pushed it into his own net.
The visitors nearly doubled their lead on the same penalty, but Mason Appleton’s goal was canceled as there was an offside attack on the streak.
The Canadian tied the game with 5:10 left in the first period. Pezzetta deftly held down a pass from Jake Evans before surprising Grubauer with a low shot to the side of the mitt.
The Kraken, however, regained the lead 1:52 later. Donato took advantage of a favorable jump from the boards and was able to shoot into an open net.
Lehkonen could have allowed the Habs to return to the locker room in a dead end, but he was unable to complete a play after a fine individual effort from Ryan Poehling.
The Canadian threatened early in the second period. Grubauer stopped a one-timer from Brendan Gallagher, before frustrating Lehkonen as the Habs were shorthanded.
The Kraken took advantage of a power play to make it 3-1 with 4:55 left in the second period. McCann was left alone in the slot and he beat Montembeault with a perfect shot into the upper part of the shield side.
The Canadian did not give up in the third period and Romanov quickly moved the ropes by firing a powerful shot after 64 seconds of play.
Suzuki then struck luck with 2:12 to go, when his snap to Romanov was deflected into his own net by defenseman Adam Larsson.
Ben Chiarot got the best chance in overtime, but Grubauer caught his shot from close range with his mitt. Johansson finally decided for the Kraken in a shootout.
Locker Room Echoes
Joel Edmundson kept his spirits up despite a long rehabilitation.
“There are a lot of quiet days at the arena and I try to help the guys keep their spirits up. There is no point in being negative, it will only drain your energy. I believe there is nothing better than going to the arena to hang out with your teammates. They are your brothers, your family. »
Edmundson also had a thought for his father, who passed away in January following a battle with cancer.
“It was an emotional day. I think of him everyday. I was hoping to score a goal for him. The next one will absolutely be for him. I know he is there and looking at me. He is going to be with me for the rest of my career and my life. I wouldn’t be here without him. »
Brendan Gallagher spoke about Edmundson’s significant presence on the ice.
“He’s kind of like ‘Webby’ (Shea Weber). It’s hard to describe, but it’s been the same since when I faced him in the juniors. There is no space in the corner, approaching along the ramp or in front of the net. You have to fight all over the rink. And he’s a smart player who can play with anyone. »
Gallagher was also proud of the Canadiens’ comeback in the third period.
“I believe that for about a month, it has been part of our identity. We are trying to recreate a culture where we expect to win. To get there, you sometimes have to come from behind. The guys never gave up and we took advantage of a lucky jump towards the end. Too bad we didn’t score in the shootout. »