Montreal Canadiens: 24 Thoughts On Habs Being Blown Out By Bruins
The Montreal Canadiens head out on the road as they faced the Boston Bruins last night to kick off an odd five game road trip that starts on the east coast, travels through California and then ends in Columbus.
The Habs played a great game a week ago when they beat the Bruins in overtime but then lost three straight on home ice as they turned in a few of their worst efforts of the season.
They have dropped to 7-8-2 with their struggles this week as they head into Boston. Here are 24 thoughts on how game 18 of the season went.
First Period Thoughts
The Canadiens lines are all shaken up as Cole Caufield is back with Nick Suzuki and Jesse Ylonen jumps up the lineup while Josh Anderson has been pushed down. Should be interesting to see if they can create more scoring chances with this lineup.
Anderson does remain on the first power play unit, gets a terrific scoring chance… and of course does not score. I know he is “getting his chances” but at some point you have to put a puck in the net or take a seat at then end of the bench when the team is on the man advantage.
A couple of penalties in a row against the Habs, as Johnathan Kovacevic gets turnstiled by Brad Marchand and has to trip him while the team was already shorthanded. The puck ends up in the back of the net pretty quick when facing the Bruins and down by two skaters. Marchand set up the goal to get his 500th career assist, he could reach 400 goals and 900 points this season as well as 1000 games. I’ll never say I like him because he is one of the most hate-able players in the league, but respect to him for a great career.
This is an odd scheduling quirk. These two teams played against each other seven days ago. Since then, the Habs played three games, losing them all but that is neither here nor there, and there has been one Bruins game since that last meeting. As such, one team looks a little sharper and quicker while the other looks quite tired.
Justin Barron is to Canadiens fans what my kids comfort blankie is to them. Every time Barron gets the puck you just feel safe and know that he is going to take care of it and put it in the right spot. It has been a treat to watch this guy develop this season.
Thankfully, the Edmonton Oilers game ended just in time for them to watch Jake Allen tonight. Another half dozen goals against for the Oilers in a loss and Allen looks sharp early as the Canadiens are being outshot 16-7 and the only goal against came on the 5-on-3.
Not the Canadiens best period of the year. Allowing 19 shots in 20 minutes is a tough way to start a game for a goaltender. Although, with the three goalie system they have going on, maybe this is their strategy to ensure all goalies get a lot of action this season.
Pretty terrible period overall for the Canadiens. Hopefully the new forwards lines can figure some things out in the intermission and look a little more organized in the final forty minutes.