The Montreal Canadiens entered Friday night facing a new challenge, as it was the first time in over five seasons they would not have Nick Suzuki on the ice. However, they rose to the challenge and accomplished something they haven't been able to do yet this season and that is to protect a two-goal lead and win in regulation.
The game started off with an unlucky bounce for the Canadiens as the Blackhawks would score first. Connor Bedard would score the first goal of the game after Juraj Slafkovsky tried to dump the puck in the neutral zone, but it bounced off a ref and went the other way to set up the Blackhawks for the goal.
After that, though, it was all Canadiens as they would answer back with a goal in the first period and then two in the second. They entered the third period with a 3-1 lead and were able to seal the win with their first empty-net goal of the season to win by a final score of 4-1.
These are some key takeaways from the game on Friday night.
Oliver Kapanen makes his debut on the top line
All eyes were going to be on Oliver Kapanen, as he was going to be the player directly replacing Suzuki in the lineup. He would be stepping into that top line with Juraj Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield, with a big chance to prove he can have an expanded role.
In this first game, Kapanen did some good things, but this line is not going to be as productive as it is with their captain. These three were on the ice for the Blackhawks' only goal, which again was an unfortunate bounce that went their way, but they also combined for seven of the team's 28 shots.
One area that Kapanen did a really good job in was in the faceoff circle as he had a win percentage of 61.1% in this game.
In the end, there are going to be growing pains but Kapanen played well enough that Martin St. Louis shouldn't have to consider any line changes at this point.
Jake Evans with his best game of the season
The Montreal Canadiens were going to need key players to step up, but it was ultimately going to be a team effort and every player was going to need to elevate their play. Jake Evans was one of those players who rose to the occasion and delivered his best game of the season.
Evans entered this game looking for his first points of the season and he certainly did that and more as he had two goals and one assist. This was his first three-point game since April 15th, 2024, when he had three assists against the Red Wings.
Jacob Fowler with another statement game
Jacob Fowler was making his first start in almost a week, and with every passing start it is becoming undeniable who the best goalie is on the roster. Fowler on Friday night against the Blackhawks, would stop 20 of 21 shots and is now 3-1 on the season with a save percentage of .900 and a goals against average of 2.16.
At some point, possibly in the near future, Samuel Montembeault is going to be ready to return from his injury. The Canadiens are going to have a tough decision about whether to keep three goalies on the roster or send Fowler back to Laval.
However, it will be a tough decision to justify if the young goalie continues to play like he has to begin the season.
Montreal Canadiens finally protect a two-goal lead
The third period has been the achilles heel of the Montreal Canadiens this season as they have seen multiple-goal leads slip away in that final period. They had been outscored 13 to 5 in the third period entering Friday night.
However, the Canadiens were able to step up without their captain and deliver the type of third-period performance they have been needing. They limited the Blackhawks' chances and only gave up four shots on net, and Mike Matheson was the first Canadiens player this season to score an empty-net goal.
While it was great for them to get the win, the opponent has to be taken into account in this discussion, as the Blackhawks are one of the worst teams this season with a 3-7 record and have a goal differential of -18. It will be interesting to see if they can continue to do this against better teams, but without Nick Suzuki, the biggest goal is just to try to maintain.
They were able to do that Friday night and will be looking to try and get another win on Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets in the Heritage Classic.
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