Post Game Poutine: Montreal Canadiens Fall To Leafs 3-2

The Montreal Canadiens overcame a lot of adversity in their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but ultimately couldn’t complete the comeback and fell 3-2 in a very heated encounter between the two rivals.

Auston Matthews continued his dominance this season, potting his 57th and 58th goals of the season, all while leading the Toronto Maple Leafs in offensive chances. He played a hard, physical game and kept the Canadiens in check when he was on the ice. His season is truly historic as he continues to break franchise records and build his case for a Hart Trophy nomination.

Cole Caufield scored a goal in a fourth straight game for the Montreal Canadiens, His effort and energy throughout the game hep jumpstart the Canadiens after a slow start, and he played with a jump in his step all game. He generated a ton of scoring chances for the Habs, and was effective in limiting chances against when he was on the ice. Caufield has continued to be the heart of the Canadiens since Martin St. Louis took over as head coach and once again provided the team with a chance to win every game.

Jake Allen, unfortunately, was forced to leave the game after Matthews’ first goal in the first period after he moved awkwardly and seemed to pull something in his lower body. Allen looked to be in considerable pain and immediately surrendered his net to Samuel Montembeault. The Canadiens announced that he would not return to the game and would be reevaluated tomorrow to establish the gravity of his injury. Montembeault came in cold and made 23 saves on 25 shots against, and gave the Canadiens every opportunity to come back in the game.

Despite a solid late-game push to tie the game late in the third period, including a power play in the last two minutes of the game, the Canadiens could not push the game to overtime. The Leafs were able to hold the fort and walk away with the win, and officially punch their ticket to the NHL Playoffs.

Here’s your MHN Postgame Poutine:

GOLD STAR: Auston Matthews- The Maples Leafs centre was a force for Toronto in their win tonight. He set the tone early, scoring two quick goals in the first period to give the Leafs the momentum and shake the confidence of the Montreal Canadiens. He continued to impact the game in all three zones, as he played a physical and responsible brand of hockey. Late in the game, his line pinned the Canadiens in their zone almost every shift and dominated possession en route to a well-earned victory.

Typique de Caufield.

Classic C🎯le.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/q4oGzvNvhl

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 10, 2022

TABARNAK: Jake Allen Injury: Jake Allen was moving laterally to make a routine save off a shot from Mark Giordano, but a deflection changed the direction of the puck and caused Allen to be sliding the wrong way. The puck slid over to Auston Matthews, and Allen did his best to try and push back in the opposite direction and seemed to tweak something in his groin on the extra effort. Not only did Matthews score on the play, Allen was forced to leave the game.

TURNING POINT: Cole Caufield’s Extra Effort: The Montreal Canadiens were being dominated by the Maple Leafs throughout the first period of the game with no traction to their game. They were afforded a powerplay early in the second period, and, although they didn’t score, it seemed to spark the Canadiens thanks to the effort of Cole Caufield. Christian Dvorak tried to send a pass to the point, which was deflected, and Caufield made a desperation dive in order to keep the puck in the zone. A few seconds later, Nick Suzuki found Joel Edmundson in the slot, and the Canadiens were able to get on the board for the first time in the game and bring the score to 2-1.

Edmundson monte au filet pour réduire l'écart.

Slick Nick with the slick pass.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/7nqeONuxH1

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 10, 2022

HONORABLE MENTION: Cole Caufield- 

BY THE NUMBERS: Here’s how the Montreal Canadiens lined up Saturday night:

Forwards

Cole Caufield-Nick Suzuki–Rem Pitlick

Brendan Gallagher-Christian Dvorak-Joel Armia

Mike Hoffman-Jake Evans-Josh Anderson

Tyler Pitlick-Laurent Dauphin-Micheal Pezzetta

Defence:

Alexander Romanov-David Savard

Joel Edmundson-Jeff Petry

Jordan Harris-Chris Wideman

Goalies:

Jake Allen

Sam Montembeault

QUOTE TO NOTE: “I don’t think it’s a door that’s opening for Carey when Jake is hurt; we’re not going rush Carey.” – Canadiens interim head coach Martin St. Louis when asked if Jake Allen’s injury would accelerate Price’s return.