On Sunday night, the Montreal Canadiens were in Pittsburgh for the second half of a home-and-home against the Penguins. Montreal had shutout Pittsburgh on Saturday, and the Pens were desperate to end their losing skid. The result for the Habs was a 4-3 shootout loss.
Here’s what caught my eye.
Two steps forward and one back is the story down the middle for the Habs.
Having acquired Phil Danault late Friday night and announcing on Saturday that he would join the team in Boston, the Habs lost Jake Evans to injury on Saturday night and placed him on injured reserve on Sunday morning.
Danault was supposed to be an addition and has become a replacement – an upgrade, for sure, but the Habs won’t immediately experience the bolstering they expected down the middle.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Kirby Dach actually returns to play before Evans does. We await news from the CH on that front.
In the meanwhile, Joe Veleno was pulled from the game late in the third period following an accidental hit to the head. Danault can’t join the team fast enough.
It was a strong night for the second line.
The chemistry is building with each game. The passing plays on both goals were beautiful. Are you in love with Slafkovsky yet?
The Habs are dominant in 3-on-3 overtime.
Wave after wave, they are excellent. The Pens were just fighting to stay alive, and staying alive was enough. Unfortunately, the Canadiens are not as proficient in the shootout.
Remember when Nick Suzuki would pull a new move every shootout and was really good at it? It’s been a minute. The captain is snake bitten in the shootout at the moment.
The young Habs witnessed greatness.
Of course he did it against Montreal. With his second point of the night, Sidney Crosby passed Mario Lemieux to become the all-time points leader for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game stopped for a few moments while his teammates celebrated the always humble Crosby.
There are kids in this version of the Montreal Canadiens that can make their own records. What a moment for them to witness.
The Habs play their last game before the holiday break on Tuesday night, where they will be joined by their latest acquisition. Let’s hope we’re gifted a Bruins beating.
Hab At Her 