On Saturday night, the Habs were looking to improve their league-best record
to 7-1 while at least partially avenging their loss to the New York Rangers in
last year’s Eastern Conference Final. Montreal played a complete 60 minute
game and earned a 3-1 victory over the visitors on the back of some sound
goaltending from Carey Price.
Key Answers
1. Can Les Canadiens get and hold a lead? They lost their first period lead but
were able to get it back and hold on in the second. Check.
2. Will they continue to tighten up in the defensive zone? Check.
3. Will the powerplay continue its resurgence? N/A as they had just one man
advantage but the penalty kill did well on both of their opportunities,
4. Will Parenteau start burying some of the great chances generated for him by his linemates? Not yet…but he was close, very close.
5. Will Dale Weise be able to spark Rene Bourque and Lars Eller into becoming
consistent threats in the offensive zone? Not to mention, being better
defensively? Eller picked up his first goal of the season while Weise
added a helper on Max Pacioretty’s third period tally. Check.
5a. With the 3rd line starting to produce with the addition of Weise, it may take an injury for Sekac to make it back into the lineup.
6. Will anyone go after Chris Kreider if he gets too close to Carey Price?
Thankfully, Kreider kept his distance.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
1-0 MTL Tomas Plekanec (SH) (Max Pacioretty) 12:06
1-1 Tie Carl Hagelin (Dan Girardi, Anthony Duclair) 17:07
2nd Period
2-1 MTL Lars Eller (Dale Weise, P.K. Subban) 11:46
3rd Period
3-1 MTL Max Pacioretty (Dale Weise, David Desharnais) 6:35
Penalty Summary
1st Period
5:18: Dale Weise (Interference – 2 min) drawn by John Moore
11:22: Manny Malhotra (Holding – 2 min) drawn by Derick Brassard
2nd Period
7:10: Brandon Prust (Fighting – 5 min) drawn by Kevin Klein
7:10: Kevin Klein (Fighting – 5 min) drawn by Brandon Prust
9:03: Derick Brassard (Slashing – 2 min) drawn by Lars Eller
3rd Period:
None
HW 3 Stars
1) Max Pacioretty – 1 goal, 1 assist, +1 rating, 4 shots, 1 hit, 19:23 TOI
2) Carey Price – 33 saves on 34 shots, 1.00 GAA, .971 SV%
3) Dale Weise – 2 assists, +2 rating, 2 PIMS, 1 shot, 3 hits, 12:39 TOI
