Montreal Canadiens Three Stars in Rematch vs Vancouver Canucks
The Montreal Canadiens got off to a great start to the season, going 4-0-2 on a six game road trip to begin the year, including scoring 17 goals in three games in Vancouver against the Canucks on the west coast.
They finally returned home and split a pair of contests with the Calgary Flames last week before crushing the Vancouver Canucks 6-2 on Monday night.
Last night was the rematch, but before any goals were scored there was a nice ceremony held for Shea Weber to honour him on playing his 1000th career game in the National Hockey League.
After that, it quickly became the Josh Anderson show. The Habs new addition on right wing scored a couple of early goals to give the Habs a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission. The Canadiens speed, depth and relentless forecheck once again wreaked havoc on the Vancouver Canucks defence and caused several turnovers that would lead to scoring chances, and ultimately, both of Anderson’s goals.
The Canucks closed the gap to 2-1 in the second period, but Tyler Toffoli would push the Habs ahead 4-1 by the end of the period with a pair of goals. His first was pretty routine stuff, getting to the front of the net and getting a stick on a point shot but his second goal was an incredible move around a defenceman followed by a terrific pinpoint shot.
The third period started with an early goal from the Canucks to make things interesting. Jake Allen was solid the rest of the way, securing the two goal lead until Tanner Pearson jammed a loose puck by him with 40 seconds left.
Petry would clinch the game with a empty net goal in the final seconds and the Habs improved their record to 7-1-2 in their first ten games of the season.
Who were their three stars in another victory? Let’s take a look.
Nick Suzuki
For many years, the Habs lacked a true first line centre. We have seen them try to wedge David Desharnais and Phillip Danault into that role for the past decade, but no one thought either player was a true number one centre.
In just his second NHL season, Suzuki is proving to be the true first line centre that the Habs have needed for a very long time.
Last night, Suzuki didn’t even really have a highlight reel play at all, but that’s what makes him special. He doesn’t need to deke around a pair of defensemen or fly by everyone on the ice and score a beautiful goal to be effective.
The young centre just does everything right on every shift. He picks up his man on the back check, he gets in the proper position defensively, he forces turnovers, he makes smart passes to get the puck out of his own zone and he finds his wingers, Jonathan Drouin and Josh Anderson in the offensive zone to create scoring chances.
In the first period last night, Suzuki would get two assists, just by making the right play at the right time.
On the Habs first goal, Josh Anderson was rushing for a loose puck so Suzuki got in position to receive a quick pass. Once he got the puck, he moved it to Ben Chiarot at the point who fired it on net. Anderson crashed to the crease and banged in the rebound.
Suzuki’s second assist was because he was in position high in the offensive zone and stopped a clearing attempt by picking off a pass. He then moved the puck to Brett Kulak at the point who fired it on net. Once again Anderson got a stick on it and tipped it into the net to make it 2-0.
Two subtle plays followed by two quick, smart passes led to two assists for the Canadiens new first line centre.
Josh Anderson
The Montreal Canadiens made a trade in the offseason that didn’t sit well with many Habs fans at the time. Max Domi was shipped out with a third round pick for Josh Anderson. Fans couldn’t believe that the Habs had to include a pick in the trade, but it is starting to look like they should have been asked for a few more picks.
Anderson stepped right into the Habs lineup on the first line and has looked excellent all season. His first game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he showed his speed, power, and offensive skills as he scored two goals in the overtime loss.
Anderson would score another pair of goals last night in the first period. He showed off his 200 foot game, making defensive plays in his own zone and capitalizing on his chances.
He won a foot race behind the net for a loose puck and knocked it to Nick Suzuki and then headed for the front of the net. Just as he arrived at the side of the crease, a Ben Chiarot point shot was stopped but the rebound landed right on Anderson’s stick and he tapped it in to open the scoring.
He didn’t wait long for his next goal. Once again he headed to the front of the net and this time he got a stick on a Brett Kulak point shot and redirected it past Thatcher Demko.