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In Hainsight: Canadiens Defeat the Cracked Kraken |
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Follow me @KarineHains for all updates about the Montreal Canadiens and women's hockey
Montreal badly needed a win in Seattle after losing their last four games, and thankfully it was facing easy prey as the locals had lost their last seven games. This year’s Kraken has nothing to do with the team that qualified for the playoffs last season. They are currently 25th in the standings, just five points ahead of the struggling Canadiens. While Seattle hasn’t been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, it should happen soon as they trail the second wild card, the Las Vegas Golden Knights, by 14 points.
Perhaps the losing streak has gotten to the Kraken badly because they showed little opposition last night. To be fair though, even though the Canadiens scored four goals in the first period, Seattle has a whole wasn’t playing that badly. Philipp Grubauer however, was. He gave the first two goals on the first two shots he faced and ended up giving up four goals on six shots before being yanked out of the game.
Meanwhile, Cayden Primeau had an excellent game, only surrendering one goal in the second period. He saved 36 of the 37 shots he faced for a save percentage of .973. His performances since Jake Allen was sent packing have been reassuring and he seems to have come a long way since last season. Perhaps the lack of in-game action this season hasn’t been as detrimental as fans feared.
Blueliner Kaiden Guhle also had quite a game, scoring one goal, and adding a couple of assists to his account as well, earning the first star of the game. He was playing so well that he even earned a spot on the second power play, in place of Arber Xhekaj. Speaking of defensemen, Mike Matheson scored a beauty of a goal in the second frame, taking the puck upice and beating the goalie all on his own. That play reminded me of P.K. Subban back in the day. I know a lot of people think Matheson is a defensive liability, but I believe it’s worth putting up with the defensive mishaps to get his offensive contribution and if I was Kent Hughes, I’d keep him around a good long time while my defense corps matures.
Alex Newhook also performed well yesterday, scoring two goals, and coming mighty close to getting a hat trick. It’s a shame that the constant injuries have prevented the Canadiens from really evaluating Newhook this season. There’s still no answer to the question is a center or a winger? And if he is a winger, can he fill a top-six role alongside Kirby Dach on the second line?
Captain Nick Suzuki added a goal and an assist to his point total which now stands at 66, the same amount he had last year, but in 82 games. There’s no denying that he’s improved not just when it comes to producing offensively, but also in the face-off circle.
While the Canadiens put an end to their losing streak, the Laval Rocket had a perfect weekend, grabbing the fifth spot of the North Division, the final playoffs berth in that division. The season isn’t over though, and they’ll have to fight to keep that position.
Montreal will wrap up its road trip tomorrow night when they take on the Avalanche in Denver in what will be the Canadiens’ final late game of the season with a 9:00 PM start. The Avalanche is currently 4th in the league, and they have won their last nine games meaning that the task at hand will be quite the challenge. Former Canadien Jonathan Drouin is having a bounce-back season with 46 points in 68 games, making him the Avalanche’s fifth top scorer.
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