Post Game Poutine: Montreal Canadiens Drill Panthers 10-2

The Montreal Canadiens exploded for 10 goals against the Florida Panthers in their last game of the season; helping to finish a very difficult season on a positive note.

The Montreal Canadiens came out of the gate roaring in this game, jumping on every single loose puck and pushing the play toward the Panthers’ net at every chance. The Montreal Canadiens quickly began to pile on the goals and never looked back, scoring three goals in the game’s first four minutes.

Jordan Harris got the festivities underway, as his point shot deflected on a Panthers defenceman in front of the net for his first career NHL goal.  Mike Hoffman, Cole Caufield and Brendan Gallagher all added goals in the first period for the Canadiens, as they continued to overwhelm Jonas Johansson with scoring opportunities.

It was more of the same in the second period, as the Canadiens maintained their intense and relentless pace right from the first faceoff. The Canadiens added another four goals in the period, most notably Cole Caufield’s 22nd goal of the season, and second of the game, vaulting him to the top of the goal-scoring column for Montreal this season. He then added a 23rd for good measure by notching his first career NHL Hattrick. It’s a pretty incredible achievement, as he was able to score 22 goals in 37 games under Martin St. Louis, after having only had one goal in his first 30 games of the season.

Carey Price was able to record his first win since Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 5th. Price looked confident and in control all game and was able to secure the win to allow him to end what was a challenging year for him.

The Canadiens left their fans with a convincing parting gift as their close out their 2021-2022 season. The excitement around young players like Nick Suzuki and Caufield will carry over into the summer and next season, as the club looks to continue the process of building a contender for years to come.

Here’s your MHN Postgame Poutine:

GOLD STAR: Cole Caufield: Caufield has been one of the most dangerous Canadiens since Martin St. Louis has taken over as head coach and tonight was no different. Caufield rushed down the ice with speed and game, playing with confidence and pushing the play toward the net every time the puck was on his stick. He was able to notch his first career NHL Hattrick vaulting him to 2nd in the rookie goal-scoring race and really gave the Canadiens fans something to look forward to next season.

22e but et 2e du match pour le numéro 22.

22nd goal and 2nd of the game for No. 22.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/IlDvCq0mlD

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 30, 2022

TABARNAK: 9 Goals Against For Johansson: From the very start of the game, Jonas Johansson looked like a fish out of water for the Florida Panthers, allowing three goals on the Montreal Canadiens’ first three shots. He looked shaky to start the game, and it didn’t get better for the 26-year-old goaltender. He allowed a total of 10 goals on 37 shots, and didn’t get much help from his teammates, who let the Canadiens manoeuvre with ease in the defensive zone.

TURNING POINT: Cole Caufield Hattrick: There’s no turning point in a 10-2 game, so we will improvise here. Caufield’s hattrick blew the roof off the Bell Centre, as the Canadiens rookie continued his elite goal-scoring pace under Martin St. Louis. The 21-year-old had fans on the edge of their seats all game, as every time he had the puck, it looked like something was going to happen. His hattrick sent the Canadiens faithful into party mode, as they began to chant Ole Ole Ole like

Hoffy saute sur un retour!

Hoffman on the rebound!

​#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/HFYkTGA39H

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 29, 2022

HONORABLE MENTION: Carey Price:  The veteran netminder was able to push back all, but two of the Florida Panthers’ scoring chances against him and looked to be in complete confidence during the game, showing no discomfort or rust in his movements. It was a fitting victory for the Canadiens goaltender, who has had to overcome a lot of adversity this season just to suit up for Montreal, and he was able to finish out a tough year with a much-needed win.

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

Forwards

Cole Caufield-Nick Suzuki–Mike Hoffman

Mathieu Perreault-Christian Dvorak-Josh Anderson

Rem Pitlick-Jake Evans-Brendan Gallagher

Michael Pezzetta-Ryan Poehling-Tyler Pitlick

Defence:

Alexander Romanov-David Savard

Joel Edmundson-Jeff Petry

Jordan Harris-Chris Wideman

Goalies:

Carey Price

Samuel Montembeault

QUOTE TO NOTE: “Tonight was for him.” said Cole Caufield on the Montreal Canadiens scoring 10 goals against the Florida Panthers.