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Canadiens Postgame

Canadiens Instant Recap: Hutson Plays Over 30 Minutes In Loss

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2 years ago

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Having been out of action since Monday evening, the Montreal Canadiens displayed a great effort, but still came up short again, this time against the visiting Los Angeles Kings tonight by a score of 4-1. The loss was also a costly one, not just losing on the scoreboard, but also losing top defenceman Mike Matheson, who left the game early in the second period, and did not return.

There’s a lot to discuss, so let’s dive into the highlights!

Decent Start

Montreal (2-3-0) looked solid to start the game, at both ends of the ice. Sam Montembeault, who started tonight for the third straight game, looked to have good vision after being tested a few times in the early going. The Habs got on the board first just over seven minutes into the contest when defenceman Justin Barron capped off a great individual effort, and then wound up wrapping the puck around and shoving it past Rittich. Barron had a career-high seven goals last year – and the goal was assisted by Cole Caufield and captain Nick Suzuki. With the point, Suzuki extended his point streak to three games (4 assists). And Caufield showed he can get more than just goals too with the assist.


The Kings didn’t let up though, getting a lot of chances in close on Montembeault, but it was in fact the shots from far that stung him. Nearing the end of the first frame, defenceman Mikey Anderson shot a point shot that got past the screened Habs tender, his first of the season.

There was a nice tribute right before the goal though, as the Canadiens faithful acknowledged David Savard. The former third-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets back in 2009, was playing in his 800th career NHL game. For what it’s worth, his defensive confrère Arber Xhekaj was also playing in a milestone night, his 100th.

The ice had barely been touched to start the period when the Kings went ahead 2-1 in the first two minutes into the second. Jordan Spence took yet another point shot for Los Angeles, this time deflected by Alex Laferriere for his third.

Moments later Matheson sustained an upper body injury, left the bench, and the game, and did not return. Phenom Lane Hutson was appointed to the first power play unit, but wasn’t able to muster anything. The Habs had opportunities to score with the man advantage tonight, but for the first time all season, they were unable to score on the power play despite five attempts. Hutson still made himself to look like a veteran out there, seeing his ice-time go up exponentially to over 30 minutes (30:05) due to the team’s shortened bench.


In the third period, with both Montembeault and Rittich each seeing the pucks well, it seemed as the game would end a one-goal game. However, just over seven minutes into the frame, Huston took away Kings forward Kevin Fiala the opportunity on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot. For Fiala, it was his third career penalty shot, scoreless the previous two, and Monty had never faced one in his career. The young Quebec goaltender wound up making the save.

Montreal probably had their best chance to tie it up with six minutes remaining when Alex Newhook was prevented from scoring a goal by a last-second defensive play by the Kings. It would’ve been his second of the year, but it was all for naught. At least Kirby Dach looked great as he produced the high-danger scoring chance.


Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks

The Canadiens have struggled greatly against the Kings, getting not receiving the royal welcome they had hoped for. Los Angeles has taken the last seven contests. Having looked at the record books for the Habs, the last time they were able to sneak a victory over these Californian visitors was on November 9, 2019, when then-captain Shea Weber had a pair of goals in a 3-2 win.

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

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