Canadiens Highlights: Heineman, Slafkovsky Score In Loss

There is an old cliché that says, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” And for the Montreal Canadiens, that saying fell short, as Martin St-Louis’ decision to ice the same roster as the previous game backfired, as the Pittsburgh Penguins emerged with a 6-3 win on Monday night.

Montreal Canadiens Highlights

Lars Eller, the Danish centre who played with Montreal between 2010-16, opened the scoring just under seven minutes into the opening period, the first time Samuel Montembeault conceded a first-period goal all season. He added his second of the night a period later, again finding twine.

The Habs couldn’t seem to muster any offence at first, only getting their first shot on Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry 13-plus minutes into the first. They cut the lead before the intermission when Montrealer blue liner Kaiden Guhle blasted a howitzer rocket from the point for his first goal of the season.

Great shot fake from Mike Matheson, and Kaiden Guhle obliterates this puck to get the #Habs on the board. pic.twitter.com/3j1AQcz105

— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) October 15, 2024

In the second period, Montreal got the game squared up at two-apiece when Juraj Slafkovsky scored his first of the year, assisted by captain Nick Suzuki. The goal was also a power play marker, their fourth in as many games after not scoring a single one all preseason.

Gorgeous pass from Nick Suzuki to Juraj Slafkovsky, and the latter just tips his cap to the captain for it.

2-2 #Habs back in it. pic.twitter.com/3T83VmHEvI

— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) October 15, 2024

With just over five minutes left in the second, Swedish rookie forward Emil Heineman sprung loose on a two-on-one rush, and wired one past Jarry, his second goal of his career, and in as many games. Going into the game, Montreal hadn’t scored in the second period yet this season, but that changed. That was the first and only time the Canadiens had a lead, and it lasted just under two minutes before Eller’s second goal tied the game at 3-3.

Fantastic play by Emil Heineman. Gets him a two on one and he keeps it. Right choice.

3-2 #Habs pic.twitter.com/r4Tw1gV2Ok

— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) October 15, 2024

Unfortunately for the Habs, the wheels came off in the third period, and it seemed as though they were gassed, missing lots of close opportunities. Pittsburgh got the eventual game winning goal by their fourth line when Kevin Hayes saw a wide open rebound in front of Montembeault and buried it for his second goal of the 2024-25 campaign.

Cole Caufield saw his three-game goal scoring streak get snapped, and rookie defenceman Lane Hutson, who was met with a raucous cheer each time he touched the puck, was unable to record a point either.

It was a frustrating loss for the Canadiens, but it was also a good reminder that there’s a lot of work left to be done before the team is ready to compete on a nightly basis. We must also remember the Habs have only played four games this season, which means no one should lose any sleep over the loss.

The Canadiens are off until Thursday night, when they will face off against the visiting Los Angeles Kings. They, along with Hema-Quebec, are also hosting their annual Blood Drive at the Bell Centre Wednesday all day, so if you can help donate, please do.