Postgame Poutine: Habs Show Perseverance In 2-1 Loss To Columbus

The Montreal Canadiens saw their losing streak reach nine games but showed signs of improvement and determination in their 2-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Blue Jackets sniper Patrik Laine scored the game-winner on a powerplay goal with 6.5 left in regulation as another solid effort by the Habs under new interim head coach Martin St. Louis went unrewarded in the win column.

After Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorkstrand made it 1-0 Blue Jackets just 1:16, the Montreal Canadiens and goalie Sam Montembeault (40 saves) held the visitors scoreless until Laine’s game-winner. Rookie winger Cole Caufield put the Canadiens in a position to win with his second goal in as many games 2:55 into the third period but the Canadiens were unable to snag the go-ahead goal.

GOLD STAR: Sam Montembeault – As mentioned above, Montembeault was huge for the Montreal Canadiens. While tracking the puck phenomenally and limiting rebounds, finishing with a .952 SV%.

Sam Montembeault is actually standing on his head for the #GoHabsGo today…elite puck tracking through a ton of chaos here (one of the many great stops so far): pic.twitter.com/UjbriklsBJ

— Blake Thorne (@_BlakeThorne) February 12, 2022

TABARNAK: Team Defense – Early on in this one, the Montreal Canadiens turned over the puck way too much and it eventually cost them. There were too many odd-man rushes for Montembeault, granted he handled them very well, that part of the Habs’ game was ugly today.

(Edit) A tough turnover between Ben Chiarot and Rem Pitlick results in Oliver Bjorkstrand finding the back of the cage 1:16 into the first.

1-0 #CBJ : pic.twitter.com/tNKVMRXYwz

— Blake Thorne (@_BlakeThorne) February 12, 2022

TURNING POINT: Jeff Petry’s Tripping Penalty – Jeff Petry was called for a tripping penalty on Oliver Bjorkstrand with 1:27 left in regulation. Montembeault turned away three shots before Laine finally beat him for the game-winner.

Absolute snipe from Patrik Laine on the power play to give the #CBJ the lead with 6.5 seconds left in the game.

2-1 #CBJ: pic.twitter.com/g5L3Jv1WPT

— Blake Thorne (@_BlakeThorne) February 12, 2022

HONORABLE MENTION: Brendan Gallagher – In a down season for Montreal Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher, he looked like his old self today, getting into the thick of it all around the ice. Gallagher notched four shots, five scoring chances, three high danger chances, two rebounds created, one penalty drew, one takeaway, and two hits.

BY THE NUMBERS: 9-Game Losing Streak – The Montreal Canadiens have not lost nine consecutive games since the 1939-1940 NHL season. However, the team did not lay an egg in this one; they looked excellent ahead of tomorrow’s matchup against another team that is down bad in the standings; the Buffalo Sabres.

QUOTE TO NOTE: Ryan Poehling on the main elements the Habs improved on: “When you work as a group of five and do that (supporting each other with the puck), I think the results you can see and that’s how we played in the third period and I think that’s kind of just — that’s our game style and I think that’s what we got to do a lot more.”