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Canadiens Postgame

Slafkovsky, Suzuki, And Caufield Saving Grace In Toronto Loss

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4 weeks ago

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Montreal Canadiens Nick Suzuki

The Montreal Canadiens hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs in a classic Saturday-night matchup at the Bell Centre between longtime rivals.

Toronto was the better team and emerged with the 4-2 win, a predictable result given both Arber Xhekaj and Kaiden Guhle were not available, but there was a silver lining to be had for Habs fans. Predictably, it was the play of the team’s top line, which has acted as the organization’s saving grace this season.

Let’s dive into those highlights!

Slow But Steady

The Canadiens held the advantage in shots once the first period wrapped up, but the high-danger chances were split evenly with the Leafs. As per usual, the top line drove the offence for the Habs, a necessary factor in any game Martin St-Louis’ team hopes to win.

Without trying to discredit Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky, it’s clear which player is the one who facilitates the line’s transitions through the neutral zone. Nick Suzuki’s ability to generate controlled entries is one of the main reasons the Canadiens have managed to push some of the better teams in the NHL to the limit.

Of course, you need more than one functional line to win an NHL game, and that’s a luxury the Canadiens do not have on most nights.

The Big Smoke Show

While the Canadiens held the fort in the first period, it’s only fair to say the Leafs dominated the game from the very moment the puck was dropped to signal the start of the second period.

Former Hab Max Domi used some finesse to tip the puck by Samuel Montembeault, leaving rookie Jayden Struble three steps behind him as he opened the scoring. Struble’s play in the NHL has been solid, in the sense that no one expected him to be in the NHL at this point in his career, but his numbers have taken a nosedive in the last stretch of the season. I’d expect he’ll be returned to Laval once the blueline health allows for the roster change.

You Gotta Be Good To Be Lucky

Habs fans won’t like hearing this, but few players around the league are more entertaining than Auston Matthews. He’s outscoring Alex Ovechkin in terms of how many goals he’s registered at this point in his career, which is rather impressive, to say the least.

He didn’t have to work hard for his 64th goal of the season, but when you spend your nights creating chances in the offensive zone you’re bound to get a few lucky bounces.

The goal came just 17 seconds after Domi opened the scoring, leading to a complete breakdown from the Canadiens from a defensive standpoint. The Leafs would go on to score two more goals in the next five minutes to take a commanding 4-0 lead.

Signs Of Life

With the score 4-0 and the Leafs well on their way to running the Habs out of their own barn, the usual suspects came to the rescue to give the home fans something to cheer about.

Suzuki scored his 33rd goal of the season after a very nice pass by the youngest player in the lineup, Slafkovsky. You may argue that Slafkovsky was aiming for Caufield, and that’s probably true, but it was still a smart pass to a high-scoring area by the budding winger.

We shoud also note Suzuki made quite the adjustment to score from a bad angle.

Caufield did manage to get his blade on the puck a few moments later, resulting in his 23rd goal of the season, and his third in as many games.

Remember how we discussed Caufield’s scoring drought had more to do with bad luck than with anything he was doing wrong? His recent scoring spree should go a long way in convincing fans that he’s not actually cursed.

It’s also important for a goal-scorer like Caufield to finish the season on the right foot given his early season woes. Full marks to Mike Matheson and Suzuki for their setup prior to Caufield’s goal.

 

Pezzetta Would Fight Thanos

Very few players around the NHL would voluntarily fight Ryan Reaves.

After all, Reaves is one of the few heavyweights remaining in the NHL. But Michael Pezzetta isn’t like most players. He will step in when necessary, putting his body on the line for the Canadiens with reckless abandon, regardless of the situation.

 

The Montreal Canadiens will be back in action on Sunday, as they head to New York to face the Rangers. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 pm ET.

All Montreal Canadiens statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted. Via Natural Stat Trick.

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Me2

Tough week, Habs had to play Car, Fla, TB, Tor and NYR tomorrow night. Those are some of the best teams in the NHL, 1-3 so far with the Rangers game up Sunday.

2 pts so far out of a possible 8, a bit disappointing seeing as the team came into this stretch having won their previous 3 games, outscoring their 3 opponents 11-3 in those games.

But after tomorrow’s game in NY, it’s 5 easier games to finish the season.

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salamoon

“You may argue that Slafkovsky was aiming for Caufield, and that’s probably true”

and i would say no, he was aiming for Nick…because of the speed/strength of the pass.

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Dino A

Hey a good sign tonight is that the Habs didn’t quit at 4 to 0. I like this part of the Canadiens make up this year.
Secondary scoring, is going to have to come in the form of a big trade in the off season. They are in such a big need of another proven NHL scorer. They have the assets to do it and have to do something very big.
They also have to move Savard and Kovacevic
in the Summer. Simply because they have to make room for some of their elite prospects.
Finally, Montembeault wasn’t sharp tonight, but, you can’t really blame him entirely for the loss. The Habs lack of offense, makes it easy for opponents to close out games, once they have a lead.

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peter

I agree about Kovacevic but Savard and Matheson may be around till next years trade deadline. One player I am disappointed in is Xhekaj as he certainly is not the intimidating factor he was last season, also he has by far the hardest shot on the team and also the lowest shooting percentage of defencemen on the team!

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mikeysl

first – he didnt play last night
second – he has been told not to fight and when he doesnt do what he is told they send him to laval
third – he doesnt control deployment

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Robin

This year the Canadiens defenseman have been a bit lucky and as a whole may have the best shooting percentage of any team in the NHL. Xhekej’s shooting percentage of 4.9 % is lowest of Habs defensemen, but higher then most Toronto defensemen and higher than many other NHL defensemen.

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Me2

Been a tough week for the Habs. Had to play, counting tonight’s game against NYR, 5 good teams. So far just 1 win and 2 points out of a possible 8.

Maybe they steal this game today.

A much easier final 5 games to end the season. They’ve already passed the 68 pts they finished with last season. 75 pts a reasonable goal.

I know some always want to find something positive to emphasize, like they didn’t quit after falling behind 4-0, that sort of thing.

It’s meaningless, actually. We all can see what the big problem is with the Habs, they can’t score.

Which needs to be and will be addressed this off-season through either trades or free agent signings, or both.  An abundance of good prospects in the system, thy all cannot make the team, so moves around that
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Me2

I watch Gallagher, Anderson and Armia out there, I recall that there’s also Dvorak on LTIR right now. And I think, what a waste of cap space and roster spots, especially on a team trying to rebuild.

Armia and Dvorak are off the books, thank goodness, after next season. But the other 2 have 3 years to go on their deals.

Maybe the team can stand 1 more year of both of them taking up space, but that’s it. Buyouts or moves to LTIR, have to do something.

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Ghg55

Actually if you look at the cap situation, the contracts coming off the books, the fact the cap is rising significantly, and the few kids who need to be signed between now and then, we not only have the space to absorb their contracts and pay the kids (only guhle and slaf will get significant raises, and then xhekaj will get a bit too), we can even afford to bring in a star. There’s zero reason to buy these guys out at all. With that said, we have to hope Anderson bounces back next year, maybe playing with Dach, so we can move him and then only have gally’s. Cuz even though we can easily absorb everything, obviously it’s better to not have to.

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Dino A

I live in Vancouver and have witnessed a great comeback season for Brock Boeser. Last year the Canucks couldn’t give him away as he slumped badly. I think the same is possible for Josh Anderson next year. Playing on a the second line with someone like Dach will certainly help his scoring. Too soon to quit on him!

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