MONTREAL – For this first game since the loss of Cole Caufield, the Canadiens showed a good dose of character by erasing a two-goal deficit to win 3-2, in overtime, against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Here are our observations of this evening at the Bell Center which looked like the home of the Leafs so many of their supporters were in Montreal.
Pitlick brings victory to Montreal
Despite a 14-6 dominance of the Leafs for shots in the third period, the CH snatched the victory thanks to Rem Pitlick’s winning goal in extra time.
Anderson seems to want to take this opportunity
The huge hole caused by Caufield’s injury could have caused a landslide for the Canadian in this duel against a powerful opponent.
But Josh Anderson has shown he has the tools – when he wants to – to be an attractive backup option to Nick Suzuki.
Of course, Anderson will have to find the consistency he’s been looking for since his NHL debut.
Except that if we trust his confidence against the Leafs and his collection of six goals in his last twelve games, he could take advantage of this opening to shine.
Some would say that if he succeeds, it will be a dream opportunity for the Canadian to trade him at the peak of his value.
Magnificent comeback from CH to 2e twenty
After just one shot and 53 seconds, it was already 1-0 for the Toronto clan. At the end of the initial period, the Leafs led 2-0 and they could have started the first intermission with a cushion of three or four goals.
The rest of this confrontation therefore promised to be difficult for the Montreal camp, especially since the Leafs had beaten their opponents 63-37 in terms of goals in the second period this season.
But no, the Habs fought back in an inspired way with two goals (those of Anderson and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard) to level the score.
Even this time, it is the Canadian who could have put on two or three additional goals. Michael Matheson was robbed by a lucky save from Ilya Samsonov who appeared to have borrowed Dominik Hasek’s eyes in the back of his head. Evgenii Dadonov could also have threaded the needle.
RHP, Belzile and Pezzetta even have fun against Matthews and Nylander
Recalled because of the news about Caufield, Alex Belzile was quick to find his comfort in the NHL. The 31-year-old veteran looked great especially when paired with Harvey-Pinard and Pezzetta, his Rocket mates.
Moreover, Harvey-Pinard scored his second career NHL goal against the trio of Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Michael Bunting.
When Martin St-Louis said that the Canadian was going to miss Caufield’s enthusiasm even more than his goals, Harvey-Pinard can add his two cents to this chapter.
Montembeault earns more points
For a seventh consecutive start, it was not a restful task for Samuel Montembeault to face the attack of the Leafs.
Beaten on the first shot of the game, Montembeault was sublime several times thereafter.
What about his save against David Kampf in the last third – to preserve the equality – when he had just missed his exit behind his net. In the first half, he had been sensational with the right leg against none other than Matthews.
Next Tuesday, another major opponent will be in town: the Boston Bruins.
More details to come.