Third Period
Kovacevic moves up to play with Matheson on the top pairing while Barron moves down alonside Harris. Interesting little swap as I thought Barron looked quite good next to Matheson. Smooth two-way play and looks to be getting better and better after sitting out the first three games.
Josh Anderson may never score again. He has not scored yet this season and a puck bounced to him at the top of the crease where he got full control of the puck while the goalie was miles away. Somehow his shot was redirected by a Blue Jackets defender who desperately reached his stick into the crease and cleared it out of the way. Poor Anderson could have used one against his former team, and he needs to get on the board soon.
The ice at the Bell Centre appears less than fantastic and the latest puck bounce led to a penalty. Gallagher lost the puck as it hopped over his stick and Boone Jenner nearly was gone on a breakaway but Gallagher wrapped him up. I thought the Bell Centre was supposed to have great ice?
Monahan scored his third goal of the season on a beauty redirect in front. ON A POWER PLAY! The Habs PP is at 20.6% right now? What? Also, Habs could get quite the haul at the deadline for Pearson and Monahan… oh wait, they are in a playoff spot if they can win tonight!
I can’t tell if Pearson is a really good skater or just looks fast while playing with Monahan and Gallagher. Will get back to you whenever they shuffle the lines.
I really like Jesse Ylonen. He skates well, seems good with the puck and has a great shot. Never going to put up points with Evans and Pezzetta though.
Gallagher took a late penalty that nearly led to the Blue Jackets scoring the game winner on the power play, but I couldn’t believe the burst of speed he showed to get back defensively. He was behind the Blue Jackets net digging for a puck and next thing I knew he was back on Fantilli’s heels taking away a scoring chance (illegally, but he got there).
Cole Caufield is the gift from all those teams that passed on him at the 2019 NHL Draft that keeps on giving. Another overtime winner and the Habs are 4-2-1 on the season. They’ve beaten the Buffalo Sabres, ancient Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets, who all missed the playoffs last season, but they are 4-2-1 and technically in a playoff spot!
Want your voice heard? Join the A Winning Habit team!