Montreal Canadiens Trade Deadline Challenges
In the lead-up to the trade deadline, the Montreal Canadiens, under General Manager Kent Hughes, faced challenges in addressing their ongoing issues, ultimately resulting in no trades. As a consequence, the Habs entered the crucial final phase of the season facing familiar struggles, including inconsistent goaltending, an inexperienced second-line center, and a coach hesitant to utilize their sixth defenseman effectively.
Recent Game Highlights
Following a disappointing 7-5 defeat to the San Jose Sharks featuring Jakub Dobes in goal, Samuel Montembeault reclaimed the net for the subsequent match against the Anaheim Ducks, with Arber Xhekaj stepping in for Jayden Struble. Coach Martin St-Louis also opted for a shake-up in his forward lines to invigorate the team’s performance.
Fans of the Canadiens were briefly relieved when the Ducks’ opening goal was disallowed for offside just 20 seconds into the game. This reprieve, however, didn’t help Montembeault, who quickly conceded a goal from a three-on-one situation on the very next shot. This unfortunate outcome marks the fifth time this season that Montembeault has allowed a goal in the first two minutes of a game. Despite a breathtaking save during a penalty kill, his inconsistency showed again as he let in a long-distance shot that seemed to be an easy save. His performance has been starkly erratic, resembling the proverbial “Jekyll and Hyde” that leaves fans on edge.
Goaltending Struggles
Statistically, Montembeault’s struggles have been documented; he holds one of the league’s lowest save percentages against low-danger unblocked shots at just .948%, trailing only Carter Hart (.935%) and Samuel Ersson (.939%). During the second period, while the score was tied at 2-2, Jackson Lacombe’s slapshot, unimpeded and from distance, found its way into the net, highlighting Montembeault’s particular vulnerability to shots from afar — a trend long established since last season. Had the Canadiens not been playing again on Saturday, Montembeault likely would have faced scrutiny for remaining in the game after that third goal.
Offensive Adjustments
On the offensive side, after returning from the Olympics, the line of Juraj Slafkovsky, Oliver Kapanen, and Ivan Demidov struggled, prompting St-Louis to place Slafkovsky back on the top line. This tactical shift paid dividends almost immediately; Slafkovsky assisted on goals by Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson shortly after his return to the top unit, showcasing his playmaking skills despite needing to refine his decision-making during power plays to avoid turnovers.
Game Conclusion
As the third period began, the Ducks surged ahead 4-2, which led many to believe Montreal’s efforts were in vain. However, Cole Caufield, nicknamed “Mr. Saturday Night”, stepped up remarkably. Scoring twice within five minutes, along with a goal from Alexandre Carrier, turned the tide and pushed the Canadiens ahead 5-4. With an impressive 16 goals in his last 14 games, Caufield matched his previous season’s career-high of 37 goals, putting him on pace for a potential 50-goal season.
Despite this offensive awakening, Montreal was unable to maintain their lead. In the final minute of play, Chris Kreider scored to tie the game and force overtime. The Canadiens were granted a power play in the extra session but failed to capitalize, leading to a shootout where Alex Killorn ultimately secured victory for the Ducks after six rounds.
Looking Ahead
With the defeat fresh in mind, the Canadiens are set to face the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, offering another opportunity to iron out their ongoing concerns. Follow Karine on social media for continued coverage, and stay updated by checking out The Hockey News’ Canadiens page for the latest insights and analysis on the team.
