The habs dominate the Canucks at the Bell Centre

Vincent Larue
The habs dominate the Canucks at the Bell Centre
Credit: DansLesCoulisses.com

The Canadiens played the first game of a two-games-in-two-nights sequence against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre.

The only change to the line-up for the home team was the return of Jakub Dobes to the net. His first start since January 1 in Carolina.

Here's the Habs lineup:

On the Canucks side, young defenseman Zeev Buium was left out of the game by his coach. A first since his acquisition. Thatcher Demko was not in uniform, having left the last game against the Leafs due to injury.

Here's the Canucks line-up with Nikita Tolopilo in net:

In the first period, Oliver Kapanen got a golden chance when he collected a return shot from Ivan Demidov. Tolopilo makes quite a save with his stick.

Moments later, Elias Pettersson pounced on a rebound left by Dobes on Filip Hronek's shot from the blue line to open the scoring.

The Habs had been setting the pace since the start of the game.

With less than two minutes left in the period, the Canadiens found themselves on the powerplay. Noah Dobson found himself on the first wave and sent a puck to the net right off the face-off.

The puck found its way into the visiting team's net and the game was tied.

Early in the second period, Arber Xhekaj committed a turnover and Evander Kane took advantage to score his 7th goal of the season.

The Habs struck back moments later, Alexandre Carrier completing a superb passing play from Nick Suzuki and Alexandre Texier. The latter beat the goalie with a precise shot.

Just 20 seconds later, Alexandre Carrier scored his second of the game. Yes, you read that right!

The defenseman accepted Juraj Slafkovsky's pass on a two-on-one run and gave the Habs the lead.

The Canucks didn't give up and Max Sasson brought everyone back to square one by scoring his 9th of the season.

He was all alone in front of the Habs goalie.

The score was 3-3 after the second period.

The Canadiens started the third period strong! Mike Matheson gave his team back the lead.

He scored with a precise shot from the blue line.

40 seconds later, Juraj Slafkovsky doubled his team's lead.

After receiving a pass from Ivan Demidov, the latter unleashed a precise shot into the top corner.

It all came crashing down for the Canucks.

Oliver Kapanen unleashed a powerful shot on the rebound of another Demidov pass that foiled the visiting goalie, who had shifted to his right.

The Habs dominated in shots on target with 41 to 23.

Final score: 6-3 in favor.

The Canadiens will face the Washington Capitals on Tuesday for their second game in two nights.


overtime

– Alexandre Carrier isn't usually known for his offensive prowess. He stepped up at just the right moment to score his second and third of the season. And with only 20 seconds remaining.

– Jakub Dobes didn't get off to the best of starts, although he couldn't do much on goal. Unfortunately, he allowed three goals on just 22 shots.

– A night's work for young Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky, who each picked up three points in the win.

– A grand total of 10 Habs players collected at least one point in this offensive festival.

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