On Wednesday night the Montreal Canadiens were in the second game of another back-to-back. After beating the Leafs in Montreal on Tuesday they hit the road to Ottawa. The result against the Senators was a 3-2 regulation win.
Here’s what I noticed.
The first period might have foreshadowed the first round.
If you read me regularly, you know my priority for the trade deadline was a right shot defender. That didn’t happen, and I suspect it will be regrettable.
The first period was reminiscent of last season’s first round, with Alexandre Carrier getting knocked around. It was enough to get Josh Anderson worked up but not really doing any damage. The Habs eventually took a penalty, and the Sens scored on the resulting power play.
On the second Sens goal, Carrier turned the puck over trying to avoid a big hit and Guhle blew his coverage assignment. Guhle might have been back on his strong side in Ottawa, but you couldn’t tell.
That’s the scouting report for the first round. Bully Carrier and watch his pair fall apart and then you capitalize. Carrier is not in his proper chair, as Marty likes to say. I’m not sure Guhle is either.
The Habs are the kings of sloppy seconds.
How many minutes did they go without a shot in the second frame? Eight minutes, or thereabouts. We won’t prolong the complaining on this issue in the second game of a back-to-back.
Remarkably Montreal left for the second intermission with a tie game thanks to the efforts of Alex Texier on that wraparound. Not a bad option to have around in injury relief, or in this case virus relief.
Jacob Fowler made sure the Habs held the third period lead.
That was a nice goal from the second line to take the lead halfway through the third. Ivan Demidov was making pretty moves all night but sometimes you just need a shot and guys heading to the net for the rebound. That’s the goal that won.
But then Ottawa came on strong at the end, and it was the young Fowler shutting it down. The group of five sent out to lock down the lead was not really getting it done and the Sens were pouring on the pressure.
Good thing the Canadiens had a sixth man on the ice, and good thing his name was Jacob Fowler. With the composure of a wily veteran, the rookie closed the door.
You get the sense he’s not far from being their number one.
Hab At Her 