Canadiens Instant Recap: Brendan Gallagher Resurgence

The Montreal Canadiens hosted the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night, attempting to put an end to their three-game losing streak. Head coach Martin St-Louis put together new lines prior to puck drop, with centre Jake Evans receiving a promotion to the second line.

The Habs put together one of their strongest efforts of the year, but ended up losing 3-2 in overtime. Goaltender Samuel Montembeault rebounded nicely from his poor starts in recent games, stopping 32 of the 35 shots sent his way.

If you’re looking to discuss the game once you’re done reading the recap, make sure to join me for our Game Over postgame show. Here’s the link to join the great community of Habs fans.

Let’s get to those highlights!

On The Right Foot

The Habs had one of their best starts of the season, to the point that they held a 7-4 edge in high-danger scoring chances as the teams entered the first intermission. No, they didn’t score, and it’s understandable that some fans are starting to lose a little patience, but to quote the head coach, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

Dustin Wolf is the main reason the game was scoreless after 20 minutes, though it would serve Kirby Dach well to take advantage of every shooting opportunity that arises. He had the puck in a high-danger area, while on the rush, which is a perfect shooting situation, but opted to attempt a deke instead, which led to him losing the puck. He’s still finding his rhythm, which was to be expected given how many games he missed, but the Habs simply don’t generate enough scoring chances to pass up a shot in those situations.

To be fair, Dach did take a shot the next time he was in a good shooting position.

Nice attempt to take the slot by Dach.

Not sure how Weegar is allowed to just wrap him up like that. pic.twitter.com/IXK8P8bf5A

— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) November 6, 2024

Thankfully, the second line of Jake Evans, Alex Newhook, and Juraj Slafkovsky had a very solid first period, with Newhook taking five shots in the frame. In fact, the second, third, and fourth lines controlled the flow of the game while they were on the ice in the first period. There was more encouraging news, as Lane Hutson continued to be a possession monster for the Habs. He only trails Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar when it comes to the busiest puck carriers in the league, and he also happens to lead the entire NHL in end-to-end rushes. Remember, he’s doing this with little to no professional experience under his belt, and he’s yet to enter his prime.

Oh hey, Lane Hutson leads the NHL in end-to-end rushes, not bad I guess.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/2F2AxsMVqD

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 6, 2024

It’s also worth pointing out that some are starting to realize the narrative that Hutson is bad defensively is not born from reality, as evidenced by how he shut down Nazem Kadri with the greatest of ease.

Lane Hutson shuts down Kadri. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/5Q54nsnBH4

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 6, 2024

Push Back

As if often the case in sports, the team that had been pressing for the majority of the game was the team that allowed the first goal. We won’t crucify Samuel Montembeault for missing the deflection prior to Connor Zary’s goal, but it goes to show you need to take advantage of your chances when they’re available, because one bad deflection can lead to trouble.

What matters in this situation is how the team reacts, especially since the Habs have not responded all that well to adversity this season.

Fortunately, Brendan Gallagher responded with his fifth goal of the year, yet another instant in which the veteran has shown he’s not ready to be dismissed just yet. Even with all the evidence pointing to a player that is not only useful, but is leading the team in several categories, some will still be quick to insult the 32-year-old winger, however, at this point, they’re ignoring reality.

It’s the pizza-cutter approach to internet sports discussion; all edge, no point.

Brendan Gallagher, always on. His fifth goal of the season for the #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/XPrZRbdPUu

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 6, 2024

Two more veterans provided an honest effort on Tuesday night, which led to the Montreal Canadiens taking a 2-1 lead midway through the third period. Evans, one of the hardest working players on the team, set up Joel Armia perfectly during their shorthanded, odd-man rush. It was Armia’s second goal of the season. It briefly appeared that Gallagher had scored his second goal of the season shortly thereafter, but the play was reviewed, and the goal was disallowed since Anderson was offside.

Jake Evans to Joel Armia, that’s a shorthanded goal. 2-1 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/QBNsVOeEFj

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 6, 2024

Overall, the Habs played well, but once again, they faded down the stretch, which allowed Matthew Coronato to tie the game with less than 3 minutes left to play. You’ll note the hybrid defence, a combination of man-to-man and zone, once again increased the odds the Canadiens would allow a goal, as there was mass confusion in defensive coverage during the play.

Matt Coronato is given all the time and space in the world to tie the game for the Flames in the dying minutes of the third period. pic.twitter.com/Xf8uzZ3Y4N

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 6, 2024

When it rains, it pours. Coronato did not waste any time putting an end to the game, scoring just a few seconds after the puck was dropped for overtime.

Coronato wins it for the Flames a few seconds after OT started. pic.twitter.com/GDqS3289qU

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 6, 2024

The Montreal Canadiens will be back in action on Thursday. They will face the Devils in New Jersey, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET. All Montreal Canadiens statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Natural Stat Trick.