Montreal Canadiens Win Streak Ends At 5; Lose to Arizona 3-2

Canadiens’ shutout streak ends at 190:46 on Korpikoski marker.

The Montreal Canadiens caught a struggling Arizona Coyotes team on their heels early in the first period, but couldn’t sustain it, dropping a 3-2 decision and breaking a five game winning streak.

Alex Galchenyuk opened to scoring at the 1:15 mark of the first period on a wicked wrist shot to the top corneron Coyotes’ rookie goaltender Louie Domingue, who was being screened by Brendan Gallagher.

The lead was extended by Galchenyuk to two goals when he was credited with his second goal of the game on a net-front pass by David Desharnais that deflected off his skate to beat Domingue through the five-hole. The goal came as a high-sticking penalty to Coyotes’ forward Antoine Vermette expired, leaving no time for Arizona to settle itself back to playing at even-strength.

Canadiens’ defenseman Tom Gilbert, who was signed as a free agent in the off-season by GM Marc Bergevin, has struggled at both ends this season. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

The Canadiens outshot the Coyotes in the first period 10-9. Their final shot came at the 19:07 mark of the opening stanza on a slap shot by defenseman Tom Gilbert. From that point forward, it was all Arizona Coyotes.

Habs’ netminder Dustin Tokarski, who was solid in the first period, faced a 14 shot barrage in the second frame from Dave Tippett‘s team. The Coyotes finally beat the Canadiens’ backup at 17:48 of the second period, when Lauri Korpikoski deflected a point shot downwards between Tokarski’s legs. The goal was reviewed by NHL Operations and deemed a good goal. Meanwhile, the Canadiens struggled for the entire period to generate any offense.

Arizona’ defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who scored a goal from his own blue line on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, continued that trend when he tied the game on a weak shot that beat Tokarski to the short side just 32 seconds into the final period.

Korpikoski scored his second goal of the game, and the eventual game winner, on the power play just 2:45 later after Canadiens’ rearguard Tom Gilbert was sent to the sin bin for hooking on a 2-on-1 down low in the Habs’ zone.

The Coyotes got themselves into trouble late in the game on multiple icing calls, but managed to hold of the late-surging Canadiens, allowing them only 10 shots through the last 2 periods.

Feb 1, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Lars Eller (81) crashes into Arizona Coyotes goalie Louis Domingue (not pictured) during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Lars Eller On The Shelf

 Canadiens’ forward Lars Eller had to leave the game in the second period after being shoved into the Arizona goal by defenseman Michael Stone. Eller returned to the bench briefly in the period,but did not return for the third. The Canadiens tweeted:

The team deleted its original tweet that stated in was a “lower back injury”.

Gilbert and Emelin Back To Their Old Tricks

Canadiens’ defensive pairing of Tom Gilbert and Alexei Emelin continue to have issues in their own zone. Despite playing well since the All-Star festivities, the pair struggle mightily when faced with a stiff 2-man forecheck, as witness in the last two periods of today’s game. If neither of them do a better job of keeping their feet moving in their own zone, this trend may be something that teams can exploit going into this year’s playoffs.

Gilbert, as mentioned before, was in the penalty box for the game winning goal, while Emelin was the unfortunate one who deflected Korpikoski’s pass into the net while sliding along the ice in an attempt to block it.

Domingue Wins His First In Front Of Family

Coyotes’ goaltender Louie Domingue, a native of St-Hyacinthe, Quebec (a suburb of Montreal), earned his first NHL victory in his first start. The former Quebec Remparts’ star stopped 18 of the 20 shots he faced.

Vermette Shines While Yandle Struggles

Earlier this week on AWH, I posted Canadiens May Have A Different Look At Deadline, where I mentioned both Coyotes’ forward Antoine Vermette and defenseman Keith Yandle were being scouted in Toronto on Thursday night.

After today’s game, I’d say Vermette should be at the top of the Canadiens’ wish list. The 6′ 1″ centre schooled the Canadiens’ Tomas Plekanec in the faceoff circle, while Yandle made rookie mistakes all game long trying to clear his own zone, resulting in multiple icing calls, especially as the game wore down.

Looking Ahead

The Canadiens get to lick their wounds tomorrow in anticipation of the Buffalo Sabres visit to the Bell Centre. The Sabres, who lead to race to Connor McDavid, have gotten the best of the Habs in their first two meetings of the season. Expect Carey Price to be back between the pipes for the Canadiens, as he will attempt to extend his personal shutout streak, which now stands at 152:08.