Habs and Sens, need I say more?

We all have to wait an extra day to watch Ivan Demidov make his Montreal Canadiens debut, but the game isn't going to be any less entertaining.

Montreal and Ottawa always bring their top effort against each other, and with both heading towards the playoffs - Montreal has to book their ticket, while Ottawa has already clinched - it is sure to be a game worth watching. If you are a hockey fan they all are, but these are the games that non-hockey fans fall in love with the sport because of.

Arber Xhekaj hasn't been in the lineup with any consistency over the last handful of games, but when the Senators are sitting on the opposing bench, it's hard to imagine there is a more suitable player to dress for Brady Tkachuk, and the Senators.

It's not a secret that the Habs have made many heated rivals over the years, and the Senators are one of the big games for the CH. Ottawa and Montreal's matchups are full cinema, and you can miss something in the blink of an eye. Black eyes from Xhekaj, brilliant overtime heroics from Lane Hutson, and the Habs' top lines, always make for a fun night of hockey.

The anticipation, and energy I expect to run through the Habs lineup, with Demidov set to join the team on Friday morning, should be very noticeable. Demidov is believed to be set to debut on Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks, and 2023 first-overall selection Connor Bedard. No. 93 and No. 98 are sure to put a big effort together, especially the Russian in his NHL debut.

Anyway, back to the Senators (90 points), who with a loss against the Habs (87 points), could potentially see them clinch the final wildcard spot. With the New York (Rangers and Islanders) just behind them, but having it all slip away, and Detroit and Columbus all in the mix (77 points), Montreal is so close they can almost taste it.

But first a duel with the Senators, in their barn (The Canadian Tire Centre).

Game impressions

Cole Caufield is eyeing 40 goals and currently sits at 36 with four games remaining. Lane Hutson is eyeing 60 assists, but first 65 points to match Ray Bourque for rookie defenseman scoring. 

Nick Suzuki is closing in on 90 points, and could conceivably do it, on Ivan Demidov’s first NHL point. He sits at  86 entering the game. Juraj Slafkovsky is three points shy of establishing a new career high in points (51).

Ivan Demidov, watching the Habs in anticipation of his NHL debut, awaits the club in Toronto. He is intently watching his new team push for a clinched playoff berth tonight.

Now for the game

Shane Pinto put the Senators on the board 28 seconds into the game, leaving the Habs trailing again to start a game for the umpteenth time over the last couple of months.

Ottawa also leads in shots 3-0, so it’s another slow start. Very slow, and not encouraging for the team with such high playoff hopes.

Four minutes (and change) into the game, and the Senators strike again - which the Habs’ fans in the arena don’t appreciate very much.

Brendan Gallagher and Tim Stutzle have acquainted themselves early, and the same can be said for Josh Anderson and David Perron. 

No. 17 2 minutes, Gallagher two minutes, and Perron two minutes. Sens power play. 

I hate Ridly Greig and Stuztle. Wow, are they ever sickening. Very good pests.

Montreal has killed off the penalty, which helps a bit with building confidence. Samuel between the pipes has had a rough start, but played stellar on the pk.

Stutzle caught Gallagher in the numbers, and it went uncalled, but Anderson got no. 18 good in the corner with a booming check on his way around.

Montreal trails by two, but have asserted a have checking game. 

This Gallagher, Christian Dvorak and Anderson line has been fantastic - using their speed and chippiness to chip away at the Senators' armour.

Linus Ullmark robbed Michael Pezzetta of the nicest goal of his career. Wow what a save.

Kaiden Guhle hammered Hayden Hodgson along the left boards in the neutral zone.

Ottawa has evaded three potential penalties, while having a power play with a two-goal lead. 

Take that for what you will. 2-0 Ottawa after 20.

Second Period

Ottawa has another one early (1:50 into the period. Greig struck, with assists to Jake Sanderson and Michael Amadio.

3-0 Ottawa.

It’s disgustingly hard to watch the Senators do this to Montreal. Feels very wrong.

Dvorak had enough and sniped a beauty under Ullmarks left arm. Joel Armia sent him into the zone with a slick pass. Jayden Struble drew the second assist.

Why isn’t Arber Xhekaj playing, it’s frustrating honestly. If he isn’t playing well, not playing at all doesn’t seem conducive to fixing the problem. 

Playing reinforces practice. 

Anyway, 15:05 is on the scoreboard, and Ottawa leads in shots 17-8, another weird Habs trend (last game and a period-and-a-half). 

It has been a lopsided game from a penalty call standpoint. Ottawa is a bench full of angels. 

It’s ridiculous.

Tyler Kleven is off to the box for high sticking Anderson in his face. Habs power play with 11:01 to play.

Hutson nearly went top shelf blocker side on Ullmark, who stopped him with a glove snag, and then Laine suffered the same fate.

Laine wired a one-touch half-wrister just over Ullmark’s shoulder. Sens kill the penalty.

Montreal is headed back to the power play - Drake Batherson for cross-checking Oliver Kapanen. 

A pissed-off Laine could be very dangerous, and seldom does he miss on multiple chances, whiff on pucks and blow shots wide. He is a marksman - the sharpest of shooters the NHL offers. 

Ottawa kills off another penalty, and Pinto and Greig have been sharp as a thorn in the Habs’ saddle. 

5:50 remains in the period, and it’s not happening for the CH right now.

Batherson scores a trickler on Montembeault, and Ottawa pads their lead 4-1.

A fight feels necessary, if only No. 72 were available to play tonight. What a shame.

Nothing is going right, and the Habs first chance to secure the ticket to the 2025 playoffs could slip away. 

4:28 reads, and Suzuki got lost in the weeds and fired home a fantastic Slafkovsky pass. Suzuki’s 87th point, and seventh-consecutive game with a point. 

4-2 Ottawa, it’s not over, but Montreal needs goals. Caufield needs three to reach 40 - he is a hat trick away. 

Sending good vibes your way No. 13.

Michael Pezzetta went full Mike Tyson, throwing combinations to Hodgson’s head. No. 55 was bloody, but if he wanted to shine, a fight was necessary for Mikey Pezz.

Beauty scrap, good stuff from the ‘Italian Stallion’.

Shots are 23-18 Ottawa, and Suzuki is off to the box for hooking.

Rarely does he go to sin bin, and his usual unit killed one off for the captain.

4-2 Ottawa after forty minutes.

Third Period

Ivan, we need your help, sir. Come to Kanata. 

The period is, you can’t make this up, two minutes old, and Montembeault robbed a Senator, but Montreal is off to the penalty kill.

Jake Evans stripped the puck from Thomas Chabot, and nearly had a golden chance. 

27-19 shot gap, and 14 (and change on the clock. 

Ullmark has been great, but 21 shots after 50 minutes of play isn’t good enough. Montreal needs to get shots in, and get in hard on the forecheck. 

5-2 Senators after Martin St. Louis pulled Montembeault, and Pinto put the dagger to the Habs. 

Xhekaj should not miss another game, no excuse is good enough for me. There aren’t six better defenseman suited up tonight. 

No. 72 should be pissed off. Montreal got thumped, and brought back to earth.

The shock of not clinching tonight should set up for a fun night against the Maple Leafs. 

Demidov starting would be incredible.