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Game 38: Canadiens vs Lightning AKA Crashing Down and Prospect Watch Day 3 |
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As is tradition during the Christmas holidays, plenty of Canadians had their TV on this afternoon getting ready to watch a classic battle between Canada and Russia. Unfortunately, it wasn't a classic battle, it wasn't even a battle, it was a one sided disaster during which Canada not only lost the game, its pride but also its best player (Alexis Lafrenière) to injury. In a 6-0 rout of the Canadians, 6 different players scored for Russia who really put on a team effort. While Habs prospect Alexander Romanov was held off the scoresheet, he once again played a solid game taking 2 shots on goal, finishing with a +3 rating and logging in 18 minutes and 46 seconds of ice time in 34 shifts. What really caught my attention though is the way he can clear the front of the net. Romanov is by no means huge, he's not even 6 feet tall and weights 185 pounds but he plays a big and robust game. I truly believe Habs fans will love his style of play and the big hits he can dish out while making his goaltender's life that much easier.
Meanwhile Sweden was taking on Switzerland and unsurprisingly, the Swedes came out on top with a 5-2 win. Once again though, Canadiens' prospect Mattias Norlinder definitely wasn't overused spending 11 minutes and 26 seconds on the ice across 20 shifts. That being said, it was an improvement over last game since he had just over 7 minutes of ice time and was only given 12 shifts. Tomorrow, watch out for Cole Caufield, Jordan Harris and Team USA taking on Alexander Romanov and Russia.
Now, on to the Canadiens. To be honest, tonight, they really did show what they can do best and what they can do worst. They came flying out of the gates when Kotkaniemi gave them a 1-0 at the 2 minute mark scoring on their very first shot. Max Domi would make it 2-0 with a goal in a 4th consecutive match as the game clock stroke 10 minutes. The Canadiens were dominating so much that they had 18 shots on Andrei Vassilevsky before the Lightning registered their first shot on goal...Unfortunately though, the Bolts 9th shot on goal found its way behind Carey Price with less than a minute to go in the first period. You know, the kind of goal that is like a really bad punch in the gut that takes the air right out of you? Yeah...one of those last minute mishap.
To make things even worst, the Bolts came out swinging in the 2nd period as well and tied things up after just 1 minute 34 seconds through Steven Stamkos (with what was his 800th career point). Yes, it was a weird bounce of the board but had the defensive coverage been on point, it wouldn't have gone in. So, last minute goal, first minute goal...how can a team keep any kind of momentum going while giving those up? Of course, Tampa Bay wasn't done. Barely 3 minutes later, they took the lead for the first time of the game after Carey Price gave them a nice juicy rebound. After that, Alex Killorn made it 4-2 when Price only partially stopped his shot. Ben Chiarot gave the Habs faithful a little hope when he answered with a goal seconds later thanks to helpers from Danault and Gallagher and both teams went back to their respective locker room with a 4-3 Tampa score.
The start of the 3rd was another punch straight in the stomach for the Canadiens when Cirelli made it 5-3 Tampa just 55 seconds in. The Canadiens did try to come back and they thought they might just do it when Weal made it 5-4 on the power play at 18:32 but in the end, they came up short.
With that loss, Tampa Bay now has as many points as the Habs and leapfrog them in the standings since they have two games in hand. While the December Carey Price has been solid his performance tonight was lacklustre and he just didn't give his team a chance to win. Giving up 5 goals on 30 shots for a save percentage of .833 will very rarely allow you to win at this level. Every member of the newly formed second line featuring Lehkonen, Domi and Suzuki finished the night with a -3 rating while the Kulak and Petry pairing finished with a -2 .
The Canadiens won't have time to lick their wounds for long as they'll be facing off with the Panthers in less than 24 hours. It will be interesting to see what Julien decides to do goaltender wise... Even though this is a back to back, tonight's loss has made tomorrow's game insanely important and to remain in the hunt for the playoffs, the Tricolore must win tomorrow... If the good Carey Price was to man the net, it could be a huge advantage but should the Mr. Hyde version of the star net minder show up, the Habs could find themselves in heck of a pickle....
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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