Montreal Canadiens vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Montreal Canadiens faced a challenging matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on the road, hoping to break a streak of three consecutive home losses. The team has been dealing with a series of injuries to key players, including Kaiden Guhle, Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook, and Kirby Dach, impacting their lineup significantly. Coach Martin St-Louis made some adjustments to the team’s lines in an effort to ignite their offense. However, the game concluded in disappointment as the Canadiens fell 4-3 in a shootout, extending their losing streak to four games. Despite the loss, the Canadiens’ point from the shootout keeps them in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Game Highlights
In this match, the Canadiens showcased new line combinations, a necessary yet sometimes chaotic transition. Zachary Bolduc, for the first time this season, played alongside prominent forwards Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the first line. The trio had a promising chance in the opening period when Bolduc moved the puck around the net but missed a pass to Suzuki, who was unprepared for the play. On a separate line, Juraj Slafkovsky, Oliver Kapanen, and Ivan Demidov faced off against the Jackets’ top line, yet they managed to register the Canadiens’ first goal after a series of well-coordinated plays. This goal involved four players, culminating in Kapanen’s seventh of the season.
A notable performance came from rookie Joshua Roy, who had a night of ups and downs. He was responsible for a turnover that led to the Jackets’ second goal but later contributed to chaos near the opposing net, helping Josh Anderson score and narrow the deficit as the game progressed. As the final minutes of the game approached, St-Louis reverted to familiar line formations, pairing Slafkovsky with Suzuki and Caufield again, while Gallagher joined Anderson and Jake Evans, showing a sense of urgency to turn the game around.
Player Performances
Noah Dobson, who had previously been solid for the Canadiens, struggled significantly during this outing. His defensive decision-making faltered, particularly on Zach Werensky’s goal, where he allowed the defenseman ample space for a shot. In overtime, Dobson had a prime opportunity to score, but his effort was thwarted by the Blue Jackets’ goalie, leading to the eventual shootout.
Conversely, Lane Hutson had a breakout performance. Logging over 25 minutes on the ice, he was active offensively, contributing a goal and an assist, taking five shots, landing two hits, and blocking a shot—culminating in a commendable plus-two rating. Hutson’s late goal helped tie the game and secured a vital point for the Canadiens.
Looking Ahead
Following a disappointing shootout experience where young goalie Jakub Dobes allowed a goal that slipped past him, the Canadiens will return to Montreal. They are set to face Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Thursday at 7:00 PM. Fans can stay updated on all Canadiens news via The Hockey News, as discussions about the team continue across various platforms.
