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Canadiens Postgame

Habs Highlights: Complete Team Effort In Crucial Win Vs. Ottawa

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montreal canadiens (via highlight video)

The Montreal Canadiens hosted the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night, hoping to win yet another key matchup that would improve their playoff odds.

The Habs were looking to build on the momentum they created in their 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday, but as we all know, the Senators always put in an honest effort whenever they face the Canadiens.

Samuel Montembeault was given the start by Martin St-Louis, a sign that the head coach has the utmost confidence in his starter, especially since he’s been dominant following the conclusion of the 4 Nations Faceoff.

It was yet another exciting game against the Senators, but the Habs ended up emerging with a 6-3 win thanks to a great effort from everyone in the lineup.

Let’s dive into the highlights!

Perfect Start

The Canadiens needed a strong start, and thanks to Christian Dvorak, they were able to establish a 1-0 lead a little over two minutes into the first period. Full marks to David Savard and Brendan Gallagher, as they provided quick and accurate passes while the Senators finished their very sloppy line change.

Dvorak scored, and that’s very important, since the Habs desperately need more tertiary production, but the Canadiens also need crisp passes to score off the rush, and that was all Gallagher and Savard.

You may have noticed Linus Ullmark did not have his goalie stick when Dvorak scored, and that’s because Patrik Laine knocked it halfway to Kuujjuaq with a shot earlier in the play.


Questionable Strategy

The Habs controlled the first half of the opening frame, but the Senators took over in the second half. Drake Batherson tied the game with a great shot, but we have to discuss the Arber Xhekaj and David Savard pairing.

They’re awful. I mean, flat-out awful. Their underlying numbers are well below replacement, and it’s hurting the team’s playoff odds. Of course, Martin St-Louis is limited with his choices, but there’s no avoiding the fact that Savard tanks his pairing, regardless of the defensive partner. He even tanked Lane Hutson’s numbers.

I’m not saying Xhekaj is above criticism, he needs to be more aggressive when defending the rush, but there’s a common factor in all the bad defensive pairings this season, and that common factor does not wear No.72.

Michael Amadio then gave the Senators a 2-1 lead following a fairly weak penalty call on Juraj Slafkovsky. Social media exploded with frustration toward the referees, but we all know this isn’t the first time the Canadiens have lacked discipline. Sometimes, borderline calls will be decided on reputation rather than actual evidence.

That’s on the Habs. They really need to get their ducks in a row when it comes to the endless stream of penalties. In that sense, they made their bed, now they have to lie in it.

We also have to note the Senators have enjoyed the most powerplays in the league this season, and while many point to their lack of structural integrity whenever the referee is looking, which is why they have a reputation as the most blatant divers in the league, the strategy is clearly working.

It’s giving them an incredible advantage almost every night.

Why would they stop?

Calder Consideration

A lot has been made about the Calder Trophy race this season, but even if Lane Hutson does not win, which would be fairly shocking since he’s enjoying one of the best rookie defenceman seasons in league history, we can sleep soundly knowing the Habs finally have a game-changing presence in the lineup.

The 21-year-old defenceman took matters into his own hands early in the third period, scoring his fifth goal of the season in the process.


Resilience Epitomized

Travis Hamonic ended up giving the Senators a very brief lead, and it must be said that Montembeault could have done much better, seeing as it was a low-quality shot.

Fortunately, the Habs received more tertiary scoring, as Josh Anderson took advantage of a strong forecheck by Brendan Gallagher to score his 11th goal of the year, tying the game at three midway through the third period.

Going Bowling

It’s not always evident, but Nick Suzuki has the type of core strength that you’d usually see in Tokyo as engineers attempt to design earthquake-proof buildings.

Exhibit A, your honour:

O Captain, My Captain!

Suzuki was not done there. He scored a crucial goal with less than five minutes left in the third period, his 21st of the season. We’re running out of ways to explain Suzuki’s importance to this lineup, but suffice it to say most in the hockey world have underestimated his value and impact.

We also have to give more praise to Gallagher, who created chaos in the crease, while also digging out the loose puck. A Gallagherian play if I’ve ever seen one.

The Montreal Canadiens would go on to score two empty-net goals, via Gallagher and Anderson, a great reward for two veterans who have reinvented themselves this season.

With the win, the Habs are now holding onto the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. A complete, detailed breakdown of their playoff odds will be available on Wednesday.

The Montreal Canadiens are back in action on Thursday. They will face the New York Islanders, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.

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

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