Caufield, Anderson and Dvorak break the deadlock in a Canadian victory

The Canadiens, who haven’t played since Wednesday against the Penguins, faced the Islanders tonight. The Islanders hosted the Bruins last night.

Martin St-Louis’ line-up for tonight’s match-up.

Tonight’s lineup

Tonight’s lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/JFW2VJtNkZ

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 17, 2023

And the visitors’:

#Isles in warmups
Lee-Horvat-Barzal
Engvall-Nelson-Palmieri
Holmstrom-Pageau-Gauthier
Fasching-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
Romanov-Dobson
Bolduc-Bortuzzo
Reilly-Aho
Varlamov
Sorokin

– Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) December 16, 2023

Despite the lack of goals, the Habs played well in the first period. With 14 shots on net, they were clearly the better team.

However, as soon as we warmed up, we came close to disaster.

Cole Caufield almost hurt Samuel Montembeault.

Caufield hits Montembeault in the warmup. pic.twitter.com/FW1UyrGs75

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 17, 2023

In the second period, the locals had a monstrous time.

Four goals, including two by Josh Anderson, were scored.

First, Joel Armia opened the scoring.

Anderson then scored his first goal against a goalie since March 13.

here we go

so happy for Andy#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/e4WqoBus5T

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 17, 2023

Andy followed up moments later with his second goal of the game.

He’s got a taste for it.

2x tonight!

his 2nd of the night! #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/aBlFvQnimo

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 17, 2023

16 seconds after Anderson’s second goal, Cole Caufield also broke the deadlock.

He found the back of the net for the first time at the Bell Centre in 13 games.

Some good work by Slafkovsky in deep leads to a Cole Caufield goal. Suzuki also gets an assist. All Habs now.

4-0 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ZT49pbfWMM

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 17, 2023

4-0 after 40 minutes of play.

Montreal had 35 shots on goal after the period.

Did you think it was over? No.

The opposition hadn’t said its last word. He scored two quick goals at the start of the third period and added another a little later.

Brock Nelson has the Isles on the board. pic.twitter.com/ft7zpmaQKk

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 17, 2023

Goal for Brock Nelson pic.twitter.com/zgmLVsd59M

– Islanders Videos (@SNY_Islanders) December 17, 2023

Horvat scores on the rebound. It’s now just a one-goal lead for the #GoHabsGo

4-3.

All NYI at the moment. pic.twitter.com/dtKq5ehoaj

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 17, 2023

Montreal held on for the win.

Final score: 5-3 Montreal. Christian Dvorak scored the insurance goal in an empty net. His first goal in 18 games.

A big hit by Guhle and a quick pass by Suzuki leads to Dvorak’s ENG. 5-3 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/qsVJKzT2di

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 17, 2023

It’s the first time this season that the Canadiens have won against a team that played the day before.

Thanks, Islanders!

Three guys came through in this game. It feels great!

This was Martin St-Louis’ last home game of 2023. They will now head to Winnipeg to begin a seven-game road trip.

Extension

– It’s clear.

– Cole Caufield was outstanding defensively.

– The 40 had quite a game!

– A great visit to the Bell Centre.