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Nick Suzuki reaches the 80-point plateau in a very solid performance by the Habs
Félix Forget
Nick Suzuki reaches the 80-point plateau in a very solid performance by the Habs
Credit: After two big wins against the Panthers, the Canadiens faced another Atlantic rival tonight, as the Boston Bruins (with nine straight losses) were visiting the Bell Centre. For the occasion, Martin St-Louis did not make any changes to his lineup: Arber Xhekaj, Joshua Roy, and Oliver Kapanen were all left out. Samuel Montembeault was once […]
After two big wins against the Panthers, the Canadiens faced another Atlantic rival tonight, as the Boston Bruins (with nine straight losses) were visiting the Bell Centre.

For the occasion, Martin St-Louis did not make any changes to his lineup: Arber Xhekaj, Joshua Roy, and Oliver Kapanen were all left out.

Samuel Montembeault was once again in front of his team’s net.

On the Bruins’ side, injuries and pre-deadline trades have decimated the club’s lineup.

Here’s what Joe Sacco’s troops looked like:

The first period was largely uneventful. Cole Caufield had a great chance to score, but Jeremy Swayman made a beautiful save.

That was the biggest highlight of the period.

After 20 minutes, the score was 0-0.

In the second, however, the Canadiens took control of the game. It started with a goal from Christian Dvorak.

Yes, that trio is still playing great hockey.

Alexandre Carrier almost doubled the lead shortly after, but Swayman made a miraculous save to preserve the score.

What a save that was.

Then, a few minutes later, Kaiden Guhle got into a fight with Cole Koepke.

Both guys dropped the gloves… and the defenseman’s jersey was all torn up.

And towards the end of the period, the Habs finally managed to double their lead. Nick Suzuki made a beautiful play to feed Caufield, who scored.

A 35th goal this season for Caufield, and also an 80th point for Suzuki.

After 40 minutes, the score was 2-0 in favor of the Habs.

And in the third, the Canadiens continued to dominate the Bruins. Again, Christian Dvorak’s trio was pesky… and again, it paid off.

Brendan Gallagher scored his 19th goal of the season to triple the lead.

The party was in full swing at the Bell Centre: whether it was chanting “Olé Olé Olé”, taunting Swayman, or singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, the fans in attendance were really fired up.

The Bruins did, however, kill the party shortly after: Elias Lindholm scored the first goal for his team with a few minutes left in the third period.

David Pastrnak made contact with Montembeault… but the Habs did not protest. Risking a penalty was not worth it in the circumstances.

That being said, the Habs held on and prevented the Bruins from completing the comeback.

Nick Suzuki completed the scoring with an empty net goal (thanks to Jake Evans).

Final score: 4-1 Montreal

The Canadiens will be back in action on Saturday, when they host the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Centre. They will try to avenge their ugly loss from last Thursday.


Overtime

– The Canadiens were the only team on the ice tonight. They played well, but when you watch the Bruins play, you understand why they lost their 10th straight game after tonight’s matchup. They are completely shapeless.

– In the win, Nick Suzuki became the first Habs player since Alex Kovalev to reach the 80-point mark (he now has 81) this season. He only needs one more point to reach 82 points and become the first player since Kovalev to achieve a point-per-game pace in a season. He is a really talented hockey player.

– Emil Heineman is really unlucky these days. Again tonight, he hit the post, depriving him of his first goal in three months. The winds will eventually turn, but for now, he has the same bad luck that Artturi Lehkonen had at times in the Tricolore uniform.

– The Habs’ third line continues to be a great story. The three guys, who were all criticized for their contracts in recent years, are playing inspired hockey right now. And it shows on the scoreboard.

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