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Hockey Hainsight
On Thursday night, the Canadiens fueled by the Bell Centre’s electrified crowd signed an in extremis 4-3 win over Patrick Roy and the Islanders and last night, they needed to find the energy to play one last game before a lengthy break within themselves. While they did manage to put a fight, it was the Penguins who came out on top.
It was a special night in Pittsburgh as Lars Eller, a former Montreal Canadiens, was playing in his 1000th game, becoming the first Dane ever to do so. The center was honored by his teammates in the locker room and in an on-ice ceremony prior to the game. Over the years Eller has played for the Blues, the Canadiens, the Capitals, the Avalanche and the Penguins. Unsurprisingly, the Pittsburgh crowd booed when both Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson appeared to congratulate Eller on the jumbotron. Back in his Canadiens’ days, most of the Canadiens fans vilified Eller for his lack of offensive production, but he got the last laugh when he won the Stanley Cup less than two years after being traded to the Capitals.
Once the puck dropped though, the Habs were the only ones celebrating in the first period when Kaiden Guhle scored the first goal of the game with assists from Mike Matheson and Cole Caufield. The helper was Matheson’s 34th point of the season and tied his career best total. For Caufield, it was his 9th consecutive game with at least a point, he now has 12 points in those last nine games. Clearly, the sniper has got his confidence back and he’s got 38 points in 47 games, two more points than he had last year in his 46-game long season. He’s on pace for 66 points over an entire 82-game season. Sure, his goal total is way down, but he’s at least producing. Considering how much more swagger he looks to have these days; I wouldn’t be surprised if his goal production increased as well. Hopefully, the lengthy break doesn't make him lose his momentum.
It was Mr. 1000 games himself who tied the game up early in the second before Juraj Slafkovsky got a lucky goal when he tried to reach Caufield with a pass on the power play which deflected off a Pens’ defender to find its way behind Tristan Jarry. The Canadiens’ lead held until halfway through the third period when Jake Guentzel brought everyone back to square one. Once again, the Canadiens had a lead they were unable to protect. For once though, they didn’t just sit back once in front, they kept attacking and being defensively responsible, so there is some progress there. Furthermore, it's only the second time in 14 games when they led after two periods that the Canadiens lose the game.
Finally, in overtime, Marcus Pettersson scored the game-winner for Pittsburgh, effectively sending the Canadiens on holiday thanks to the All-Star break and their bye week. As per usual, only Nick Suzuki will be representing the Canadiens at the All-Star game, so he’ll have to wait a bit more to head south like so many of his teammates. The Habs will resume playing on February 6th when they visit the Capitals in Washington.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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