|
In Hainsight: Third Line’s the Charm |
|
|
|
|
|
Follow me @KarineHains for all updates about the Montreal Canadiens and women's hockey
Although there’s no chance that the Canadiens could make the playoffs, this team refuses to mail it in, they’re still out there on the ice trying their best and it was never as obvious as last night while watching them take on the Blackhawks. Although nobody would describe this year’s edition of the Habs as a good team, it’s still a much better team than Chicago and that’s why the Windy City outfit will have much better odds to win the big prize for next draft.
Jake Allen had perhaps one of his easiest games in ages, he only needed to make 22 saves, most of which not on very threatening shots to record the team’s first shutout of the season and his first since November 2021. If playoffs bound teams are shopping around for some goaltending depth, they may come calling for Allen.
Up front, the top line was held off the scoresheet last night, but Josh Anderson stepped up in another way when he took exception to a legal but tough hit to his captain. With Xhekaj out of commission, Anderson took it upon himself to send a message that nobody was going to rough up Suzuki that way. Of course, he took a 2-minute instigator and a 10-minute misconduct penalties, but he made his point.
Meanwhile, it was the 3rd line that shone offensively. Christian Dvorak, more or less a panic Marc Bergevin acquisition, was nearly invincible at the face-off dot, winning 90% of his draws on top of getting a goal and an assist. Jonathan Drouin, finished the game with 3 assists, making it 12 assists in his last 12 games. As for Joel Armia, he picked up a couple of points on the night as well. Could this performance attract some interest from other teams? It seems unlikely, both Dvorak and Armia have got 2 years left to their deal and word is around the league that Drouin was shopped around and no-one expressed any interest. At this stage, moving him for anything would be quite a result since it seems like a foregone conclusion that he’ll be leaving at the end of the season.
Two of the four Canadiens’ goals came from the blue line as both David Savard and Justin Barron found the back of the net. Barron, who was acquired in return for Arturri Lehkonen at the last deadline struggled a bit when he was first called up from Laval but his confidence level seems to have gone up and he looks a lot more comfortable out there. If Arber Xhekaj is out long term, Barron will have plenty of time to prove his worth and make a lasting impression. As for Mike Matheson, he played over 23 minutes and he really seems to have found his rhythm now, those last 3 games have been excellent for him and considering how handcuffed Hughes was when he had to trade Jeff Petry, this is turning out to be an excellent deal.
Interesting tidbit of information as well; with Drouin being named the first start, Savard the second and Matheson the third one, it was the first time since October 23, 2003, that all three stars were Canadiens players from Quebec. Back then, Théodore, Perreault and Ribeiro had been the three best players of the game... oh how time flies.
The Habs practiced in Brossard this morning and both Sean Monahan and Kaiden Guhle skated before the group, while the Canadiens have yet to give the promised update about Monahan’s health, it’s at least reassuring to see him skate again. As for Joel Edmundson, he was expected to take to the ice after the team was done practicing while Kirby Dach skipped practice to receive treatments. This afternoon, they'll head to Raleigh to take on the Hurricanes who'll present quite a challenge since they are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»