Montreal Canadiens Face Challenges in December
As the festive season approaches, December poses a unique challenge for players of the Montreal Canadiens, particularly against a backdrop of a packed game schedule. Just last night, the Canadiens hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning, competing in their third match within four nights. This game featured Jakub Dobes in goal again, as the Lightning arrived with a struggling track record, having lost their last four contests, including two shutouts. Adding to their woes, Tampa was missing their star goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy and faced a quick turnaround following a recent clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Notably, four NHL teams had scouts in attendance at the Bell Centre, with three specifically sent to evaluate goaltender Dobes, who faced mounting pressure during this stretch.
Game Highlights
The opening period showcased Tampa’s dominance, a harbinger of the game that unfolded. Just 29 seconds in, Charles-Edouard D’Astous dealt a heavy hit to Brendan Gallagher, setting the tone for a first frame where the Canadiens were outshot 15-6. Brayden Point struck first for the Lightning, easily scoring off their second shot. Soon after, Pontus Holmberg capitalized on a mistake during a Canadiens’ power play, scoring in a breakaway. The period concluded with Nikita Kucherov scoring with a one-timer, bringing Dobes’ save percentage to a shaky .786 as he allowed three goals on 14 shots. Despite attempts to shoot from the Canadiens, many efforts missed the net, notably from key players Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki.
Goalie Changes and Performance
The Canadiens made a significant change in net for the second period, sending in Samuel Montembeault, although this substitution did not help improve their fortunes. Throughout the game, Montembeault also struggled, finishing with a save percentage of .769 after conceding three goals from 13 shots. On the power play, Zachary Bolduc, although on the fourth line, figured into a unit that would eventually score the Canadiens’ only goal. The highlight came from Oliver Kapanen, who displayed nimble hand-eye coordination to convert Suzuki’s shot off the post into a score, tying him for the lead in rookie goals with nine.
Final Outcome and Future Prospects
Unfortunately for the Canadiens, the momentum shift hoped for after scoring fell flat. With only 1:22 gone in the third period, the Lightning scored again, pushing ahead decisively. The Canadiens appeared bereft of energy and determination, ultimately yielding a 6-1 loss. This defeat highlighted the troubling discrepancy in their home performance, where they’ve managed only seven wins against eight losses, while boasting eight victories on the road this season. Coach Martin St-Louis openly addressed the need for improvement at home, expressing frustrations over the early goals his team continues to give up and stressing the importance of mental strength amidst adversity.
Roster Changes Ahead
In efforts to boost their roster, the Canadiens announced the call-up of three players from the Laval Rocket, namely goaltender Jacob Fowler, defenseman Adam Engstrom, and forward Owen Beck, signaling a potential shake-up as they prepare for their next game in Pittsburgh. The team will need to regroup and find a way to reverse their recent trend of disappointing performances, particularly at home, as they face another tough challenge ahead.
