Habs continue to fail in Carolina

After a few days off, the Canadiens were back in action tonight. For the occasion, it faced the Carolina Hurricanes, who had played the day before.

Here’s the Habs line-up:

Tonight’s lineup

Tonight’s lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/fJaP7k90z0

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 29, 2023

And the home team’s:

Hurricanes projected lineup tonight, according to this publication. A 20-year-old, 41-month-old center will lead the 2nd trio

Svechnikov-Aho-Teravainen
Bunting-Kotkaniemi-Necas
Martinook-Staal-Jarvis
Noesen-Drury-Fast

Slavin-Burns
Skjei-Pesce
Orlov-Chatfield

Raanta https://t.co/iNW2dz1K7x

– Guillaume Lefrançois (@glefrancoisLP) December 28, 2023

The rust was felt early in the game.

It didn’t take long for the Canes to take a two-goal lead.

First, Andrei Svechnikov scored, beating Cayden Primeau. This was Primeau’s second consecutive game in front of goal.

Svechnikov redirects Burns’ shot and it’s quickly 1-0 Hurricanes pic.twitter.com/nWuPBeWFH4

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) December 29, 2023

Burns was next to shine. This time, he set up teammate Jesper Fast’s goal.

Jesper Fast doubles the Canes lead. pic.twitter.com/1Wxl9Uwwc0

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 29, 2023

As was the case in Chicago, the fourth trio woke up the Habs.

Mitchell Stephens scored another goal, his second in as many games.

Ylonen beats the icing with hustle and then is mentally ready to creatively pass the puck off the boards to avoid a defender and successfully find the point man. https://t.co/49acBkoynI

– Brian Wilde (@BWildeMTL) December 29, 2023

Carolina thought they had doubled their lead after that, but Martin St-Louis challenged.

Due to goaltender obstruction, the goal was overturned. The team administrator on X isn’t sure how goaltender obstruction works.

Still 2-1.

Scratch it.

Montreal successfully challenges for goaltender interference. https://t.co/iu3D0fCQyr pic.twitter.com/sJxAfSVDb9

– Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) December 29, 2023

Before the end of the period, Montreal benefited from a power play.

With less than four seconds to go, Mike Matheson scored a beautiful goal to bring everyone back to square one.

With less than 4 seconds left in the period!

Matheson coming in clutch! #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/pYbAq6DsHx

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 29, 2023

On the sequence, Sean Monahan collected the 500th point of his career.

This is the third consecutive game that the St-Louis team has come from behind after trailing 0-2.

Early in the third period, however, the hosts regained the lead.

Fast scored his second goal of the game.

Jesper Fast puts the Canes back in the lead! pic.twitter.com/iMKRnlqMPa

– TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2023

Early in the third period, Josh Anderson blocked a Brady Skjei shot.

He then broke away and beat Antti Raanta.

It was his fifth goal in as many games.

omg #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/jYgMHvPaUD

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 29, 2023

Towards the end of the game, Svechnikov also scored his second of the game.

Carolina regained the lead and this time kept it.

That’s. So. SVECH. pic.twitter.com/wAmuBCJufE

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 29, 2023

Final score: 5-3 Hurricanes, who sealed the game in an empty net.

Martin St-Louis’ team will be back in action on Saturday in Florida.

In a gust

– Juraj Slafkovky did not finish the game. He left late in the game because of this check:

Stefan Noesen, oh my.

#23 catches Juraj Slafkovsky with a gargantuan hit. pic.twitter.com/0SJKOKRjeJ

– Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) December 29, 2023

– Primeau was sent in front of the net against a club in need of a goalie. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Did he convince Don Waddell? To be continued.

– Emil Heineman marked his return to the game in Laval with a goal. Laval still lost 4-1.