“It’s not a 4-0 game, we’ve been unlucky,” says Nick Suzuki

Mathis Therrien
“It’s not a 4-0 game, we’ve been unlucky,” says Nick Suzuki
Credit: Twitter screenshot

After a superb, dominant week, the Montreal Canadiens last night dropped the most important game of the last few months.

The Habs had the chance to consolidate their position at the top of the division, but were instead shut out 4-0 at home in a tasteless game.

The Habs scored ten goals in two days earlier this week, but yesterday they couldn't get anything going.

It was a really frustrating game to watch, and I say that as a fan who was there, when nothing worked for the Habs.

Passes lacked precision, players' skates didn't seem sharp enough, shots weren't going to the net, in short, it was really unpleasant to watch after the first period.

I can only imagine that the Habs players felt the same way, with Nick Suzuki himself stating that his team had been unlucky.

Indeed, there's no doubt in the Canadiens captain's mind that this was clearly not a 4-0 game, and that his team would have deserved a better fate.

Personally, I agree, but at the same time, I really feel that Martin St-Louis's team brought on its own bad luck.

The Habs were playing far too rough, and clearly weren't sending enough pucks to the net, when on several occasions a shot would clearly have been a better option than yet another pass.

What's more, the Habs were truly undisciplined, even though the refereeing was VERY questionable throughout last night's game.

Five penalties in such an important game breaks the rhythm and changes the pace of a game.

Of course, I'm not saying that the Habs weren't unlucky; on the contrary, as we saw on the Red Wings' first goal, the puck made an extremely unlucky leap, which made Jacob Fowler look bad.

In fact, the Habs goalkeeper blames himself, and says it's a lesson for him.

“I'm the one who makes the decision to go out or not. If I'd stayed in front of the net, it wouldn't have happened. It's still something I'm learning, but it makes you sweat to learn this way.” – Jacob Fowler

Still, the young goalie is pretty hard on himself, because in the end, these things just happen, and he couldn't have known the puck would take such a whimsical leap.

I invite you to read the entire article by Jonathan Bernier of the Journal de Montréal for all the comments made by the Habs players.

In short, a combination of bad luck, indiscipline, and lack of opportunism sank the Habs last night in a game that was worth a lot.

The loss to the Red Wings hurts, as the Habs are now relegated to third place in the Atlantic Division, with several teams now breathing down their necks.

(Credit: NHL.com)

The Buffalo Sabres have two games in hand on the Habs, and if they win both, they'll overtake the Habs.

And let's not forget the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are slowly climbing back up the standings after a very good run.

In short, it's a defeat that really pisses me off, because it comes against a direct rival, and in a situation where mistakes aren't really allowed.


Overtime

– Just as well.

– Bad news for the Canucks.

– Don't miss it.

– Read more.

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