While the Montreal Canadiens emerged victorious on Thursday by way of Jake Allen making 44 saves, there was more than meets the eye with the win. Canadiens forward Sean Monahan was back in Calgary for the first time since departing the organization after being traded in the off-season.
The Montreal Canadiens celebrated appropriately after the win, according to Arpon Basu’s postgame tweets. The Habs forward picked up two assists in the contest and added to his season point totals.
“Mony Mony” by Billy Idol playing in Canadiens room after the win. #Monahan #Mony
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) December 2, 2022
This all comes after Monahan showed up to the arena today in a walking boot. It’s been an emotional time for Monahan, who addressed the media in an emotional moment during media interviews posted on Twitter early on Thursday.
Montreal Canadiens’ Sean Monahan tallies two points in return to Calgary.
The 10-year veteran of the league was drafted by the Flames with the sixth overall pick during the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Needless to say, after ten years, there’s quite a tie to the Saddledome and the organization he called home for the last nine seasons.
Monahan has since been able to get back on track and become a solid performer in the Habs lineup night in and night out. He got to it early on Thursday, doing what he does best, getting involved and creating something.
Ultimately, Monahan got a stick on a puck, and it led to a goal, so it’s not like a good forecheck caused a mistake, but he was breaking through and splitting the defense when Jacob Markstrom came out of the net to play the puck leading to a Juraj Slafkovsky goal.
Monahan played alongside the rookie winger to open up the game after Martin St. Louis opted to start the veteran forward in Thursday night’s contest. Monahan also picked up an assist on the team’s go-ahead and eventual game-winner as well. He sent the puck to Habs captain Nick Suzuki on the wall, who found Cole Caufield for the one-time goal.
His two points on Thursday bring him to 16 total on the season. Through 23 games played, Monahan has managed five goals and 11 assists. It’s been great for Monahan to get things back on track.
Especially for Habs General Manager Kent Hughes, who has to be fist-pumping about Monahan’s success. For Hughes, the more success Monahan has, the better. Especially with Hughes aiming to move Monahan if the opportunity presents itself.
Either way, Monahan had a great game in his return to Calgary and got a nice tribute during the process.