Montreal Canadiens Game Reactions: A’int No Call it Back Guys

The Montreal Canadiens fail to score against the New York Rangers despite a better effort losing their second game in a row 2-0.

We’re three games into the season. The Montreal Canadiens are 1-2 and have managed to only score three goals. Even though the game ended the way it did, the outrage among the fan base isn’t really warranted. that could change if this continues.

Sunday’s game definitely won’t help the relationship between the two teams considering their playoff history. In fact, it’s probably worse now.

This wasn’t the result that fans wanted after being blown out by the Washington Capitals the day before. The Habs made two minor changes to their roster with Brandon Davidson and Torrey Mitchell in place for Ales Hemsky and Mark Streit. Additionally, Carey Price was the starting goaltender for the night, so there’s no doubt that the Canadiens were given a chance to win.

I know it sounds really clichè, but the team has been getting their chances and all they need is a bounce to go their way. It would also help if a bounce wasn’t called back but we’ll get into that later.

Montreal’s next game will be against the Chicago Blackhawks. Again it won’t be an easy contest, but the Habs have the time to put in the work so that they’re ready for it.

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Thoughts and Observations

The Grease

Let’s just address the elephant on the screen. The Montreal Canadiens scored two goals Sunday. The Montreal Canadiens also had two goals called back on Sunday, hence the title (clever eh?).

Andrew Shaw having his goal called back makes sense. The Canadiens were continued to build off the strong start they had to the game with more time in the Rangers’ zone. Jeff Petry took a shot at Henrik Lundqvist and made the shot, but the puck came loose. After a large crowd, the puck was in the net. 1-0 Habs? Think again.

What happened was that when the puck was at the side of the net, Shaw kicked it at Lundqvist who then knocked it back. The refs had to call it back though. The rule is that you can’t kick the puck into the net for a goal, but that also includes kicking off something or someone.

What made it worse was that the Canadiens lost a bit of that steam they had coming out of the game. Fortunately they continued to push on. Minutes later, Shea Weber would skate with the puck in the offensive zone and take a shot on Lundqvist. He makes the save but the rebuild comes off Ryan McDonagh who was struggling with Max Pacioretty. 1-0 Habs! Well no.

See the first call back I can understand. The second is ridiculous. Not because of the goaltender interference. That you can’t deny, Lundqvist was clearly hit. However, McDonagh hit Pacioretty into his own goalie. There have been other games among different teams where a goal was allowed if a player on the defending team caused interference on purpose. That didn’t apply here.

More Grease

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The Rangers’ first goal made the sting of the called back ones worse. Torrey Mitchell lost the face off and an eventual Brady Skej shot goes off Weber in front of the net. Another unlucky bound for the Montreal Canadiens.

There wouldn’t be another goal until the third period. Not silver lining with that one at all. Jonathan Drouin hasn’t done much to be criticized so far this season, but that goal is on him. Drouin is caught watching the puck in the crease instead of Mika Zibanejad who is open to receive the shot and score the goal.

Petry and Jordie Benn (again) didn’t have decent performances this game either.

The Beauty

There were some good things to pick out from this game. Mitchell played well enough to earn himself another game or two. Davidson had a relatively quiet game which is a good thing and was trying to find forwards with that stretch pass.

Then there’s Carey Price who kept the Montreal Canadiens in it until the very end. Rick Nash may not be too happy considering Price robbed him heavily twice.

The final light of the day is more of a nod to what could be. Near the end of the third period when the Habs really needed a goal, he brought out the blender. Alex Galchenyuk was moved to the top line while Paul Byron with Phillip Danault and Shaw. They weren’t able to score, but it makes you think of whether Claude Julien tries this again in a normal situation.

Overall it was a good effort. That doesn’t mean much in the NHL, but it does say something for the Habs to come out the way they did and continue on the way they did. It won’t be like this forever, they’ll figure it out.

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What did you make of the game? Let us know your thoughts down below.