Predators win goalkeeping match

Last night, the Canadiens won a crazy game in Buffalo.

But Martin St-Louis’ team had to come back down to earth, as they faced the Nashville Predators tonight.

Here’s his line-up:

David Savard, who was back in the game, took Gustav Lindstrom’s place.

And here’s the visitors’ lineup:

#Preds lines vs. MTL:

Forsberg – O’Reilly – Nyquist
Sherwood – Novak – Evangelista
Trenin – Pärssinen – Sissons
Smith – McCarron – Tomasino

Josi – Fabbro
McDonagh – Carrier
Lauzon – Barrie

Saros

Scratches: Glass, Schenn

– Zach Gilchriest (@ZachGilchriest) December 10, 2023

Both teams were undisciplined in the first period.

They were each assessed three penalties.

Nashville took advantage of one of its power plays. Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi combined for Colton Sissons to break the ice.

It was his fourth goal of the season.

That was going wide. Great tip by Colton Sissons.

1-0 Predators.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/v0WpC42oBZ

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 11, 2023

The same Sissons doubled his team’s lead in the next period.

He seized a throw-back to score his second of the game.

Montreal hadn’t said its last word, however.

After Joel Armia was denied a goal, Jake Evans scored his second of the season. Remember that he scored the team’s first goal of the season in Toronto.

This one counts. Jake Evans scores on a backhand. His first goal since the first game of the year. He’s pumped.

Habs cut the lead to 2-1.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/fmFBPxRB2U

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 11, 2023

In the third period, Jake Allen wasn’t very busy, but when he was, he was solid.

On the power play, he twice stole Cole Smith on a breakaway.

Jake Allen makes two big saves on the penalty kill. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Ek5dtxxajy

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 11, 2023

Allen ended the game with 30 saves on 31 shots.

His brilliance was not enough, however, as his team lost 2-1.

On the other side, Juuse Saros stopped 35 shots.

Martin St-Louis’ team will be back in action on Wednesday, when they welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Bell Centre.

Extension

– Lots of scouts on site. Oilers assistant GM Brad Holland is there.

– Brendan Gallagher played a full game.

– What about Shea Weber?

When you can’t choose pic.twitter.com/Slg32PsEjB

– HFTV (@HFTVSports) December 11, 2023

– Not the zebra’s greatest game.

– This is Cole Caufield’s former college head coach.