Phillip Danault finally scores: “It wasn’t easy at home.”

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Phillip Danault finally scores: “It wasn’t easy at home.”
Credit: Getty Images

For the first time in nearly a year (275 days) and for the first time in 51 games, Phillip Danault scored a regular-season NHL goal.

It was also his first goal with the Canadiens since May 3, 2021, and his first goal for the Habs, in front of fans at the Bell Centre, since February 29, 2020.

In short, in many ways, his goal felt good. You could see it in his face.

After the game, Danault didn't try to diminish the importance of the goal he'd just scored. On the contrary: he admitted that it felt really good.

And he went further:

“It sure feels good for me, but also for my wife. It wasn't easy at home.” – Phillip Danault, following his first goal in 275 days

Clearly, the Québécois, who is here above all for his defensive excellence, was putting pressure on himself to find the back of the net.

And that's only natural.

But goals aside, it's clear that Phillip Danault's line brought something to the ice last night. With Brendan Gallagher (his old friend who isn't having the season of his career) and Josh Anderson, the veteran line was important.

Yes, Danault was brought in to replace Christian Dvorak.

Danault often took important face-offs, and he was often at the heart of moments when you thought his experience on the ice was a good thing.

The boys found their rhythm yesterday.

In reality, the Habs are a more stable club than they used to be with guys like Phillip Danault and Kaiden Guhle, who's coming back from injury.

Martin St-Louis won't complain.

But aside from the fact that Danault did well (and that guys like Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield stood out), what do I take away from yesterday's win over the Wild?

There are several things to note.

1. The officiating wasn't great, but the Canadiens' shorthanded goal gave the Wild two goals. If Minnesota had to win when the Habs were better on the ice, the referees would have been criticized even more this morning.

But victory changes a lot of things…

2. Jakub Dobes wasn't technically perfect in front of his net (let's put it that way) against the Wild. But despite everything, he still found a way to win.

Good for the Habs.

3. Kirby Dach didn't necessarily stand out in his return to the game. However, he didn't do badly in 16:46 of playing time on the club's top line.

Speaking of playing time: 10:57 for Zachary Bolduc isn't much.

4. The Minnesota Wild, who have a good team, took just 19 shots on goal (compared to 33 for the Habs), including just two in the first period. That's not a lot.

Reminder: the Wild boys had a short night, playing in Toronto on Monday. But that's no excuse.

5. The Habs won yesterday's game, the Wild lost yesterday's game… but this guy's blonde wasn't the big winner of yesterday's game. If Phillip Danault had scored two more times, she'd have had a wedding ring.

Was the guy hot after Danault's first goal in ages?


overtime

At 11:30 this morning, the Canadiens players will be practicing on Montreal's South Shore. The goal? To prepare for tomorrow night's visit of the (mighty?) Sabres.

Watch for Alexandre Texier and Patrik Laine in the regular lineup.

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