Post Game Poutine: Petry Helps Canadiens Break Losing Streak

It wasn’t pretty, but the Montreal Canadiens broke their nine-game losing streak by beating the New York Rangers in the dying seconds of the third period 4-3.

The New York Rangers, who clinched a playoff spot earlier this month, decided to rest key players like Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin leading up to spring dance. It made for one of the sloppiest games of the season, reminiscent of a preseason game. The first period lacked much coordination, with high quantities of turnovers.

As the game began to open up in the second period, the Rangers dominated the Canadiens and doubled them in scoring chances. However, the Canadiens remained opportunistic as they would trade goals with the Rangers in the second period, despite only having five shots in net compared to New York’s ten.

The third period saw the Canadiens battle back from backbreaking turnovers leading to untimely goals from the Rangers. Each time the Rangers would pounce on the Canadiens’ mistakes, Montreal would have an answer within short order to retake the lead. Just when it looked like the game was going to overtime due to the 3-3 tie late in the game, Jeff Petry walked down the line on the right circle and wired home a howitzer of a shot that beat Alexandar Georgiev high and gave the Canadiens the win.

It wasn’t a pretty win by any means, and the Rangers were playing without any of their big names, but the Canadiens never gave up on the games en route to the win tonight.

Here’s your MHN Postgame Poutine:

GOLD STAR: Jeff Petry: The Jeff Petry of old showed up to play for the Montreal Canadiens yet again this evening, as he used his mobility and wicked shot to power the Canadiens to the 4-3 win at Madison Square Garden. The Veteran blueliner has been criticized for much of the season for not getting enough pucks on net, opting for the long wind-up slap shot, rather than his usually effective wrist shots. Tonight, Petry went back to basics with his shooting mechanics, using his skating to open up Georgiev and pick the corners, propelling the Canadiens to victory.

Petry et son oeil de lynx! 🎯

Petry and his eagle eye!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/89XonJOwgH

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 28, 2022

TABARNAK: Cole Caufield Turnover: Cole Caufield was given a soft pass by Mike Hoffman in the neutral zone, but the youngster mishandled the puck and lost it from view. That was all it took to burn the Canadiens, as Frank Vatrano jumped on the loose puck and took it back the other way to beat Samuel Montembeault and tie the game for the Rangers at 2-2.

TURNING POINT: Jeff Petry’s Late Game Dagger: The New York Rangers had just tied the game for the third time in this tilt, and it looked like this was going to overtime. However, Christian Dvorak jumped on a weak turnover in the Rangers’ defensive zone and slid the puck over to Jeff Petry, who wired home a bullet passed Alexandar Georgiev.

Petry en ajoute!

Petry adds another!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/goCDKFrEc0

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 28, 2022

HONORABLE MENTION: Ryan Poehling:  Since coming back from injury, Poehling seems like a player transformed, having potted four goals in his last seven games. He played with great pace and speed tonight, protecting the puck with his body and distributing it to his teammates at the right moment. He’s begun making quicker plays and decisions with and without the puck, which has allowed him to gain a step on the opposition, which was on full display tonight.

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

Forwards

Cole Caufield-Nick Suzuki–Mike Hoffman

Mike Hoffman-Christian Dvorak-Brendan Gallagher

Rem Pitlick-Jake Evans-Tyler Pitlick

Michael Pezzetta-Ryan Poehling-Laurent Dauphin

Defence:

Alexander Romanov-David Savard

Joel Edmundson-Jeff Petry

William Lagesson-Jordan Harris

Goalies:

Sam Montembeault

Cayden Primeau

QUOTE TO NOTE: “I’ve felt better on the ice, physically and mentally. When I’m on my game, I’m skating. Not getting the puck and standing still, but getting the puck and moving and making plays from there. I think it’s really helped lately. – Jeff Petry on his improved play as of late.