(MTL @ TOR) Montreal Deservingly Grabs Two Points

The Habs were the better team Saturday night and came out with a win to show for it.

Image by habseyesontheprize.com

Coming off a shootout win against the Jets on Wednesday, the Habs went into Toronto to face the suddenly surging Toronto Maple Leafs. Since being manhandled by Montreal at the Bell Center two weeks ago, the Leafs got it together on their recent road trip, beating the Blue Jackets, Penguins, Panthers, and Hurricanes. They came back to Scotiabank Arena looking to continue their hot streak.

That did not happen, as Montreal was the better team for most of the night and came away with a 2-1 shootout win.

1st Period:

A slowish start, they didn't get a shot on goal till about 7 minutes in. At least Toronto didn't score on their first shot.

Montreal killed off a Leafs' powerplay, and found their legs after that. They started to generate more chances, but couldn't beat Hildeby.

The first period ended in a scoreless tie.

2nd Period:

A dominant period for Montreal; they were the much better team. They cycled constantly in the Leafs' zone and hemmed them in for minutes at a time.

Eventually, they got on the board. After Veleno (that guy?) drew a penalty, the Habs went to the powerplay. Demidov got the puck, passed it through the creases, deflecting off Slaf's stick right to Caufield with an open net. He put it in to put Montreal up 1-0.

After that, Montreal arguably played better. Bolduc had a breakaway shortly after, but was stopped by Hildeby. The Leafs' goalie was the main reason the defecit wasn't more.

The Habs took a 1-0 lead to the dressing room. They outshot Toronto 14-3 in the period.

3rd Period:

More good defense to start the period. They didn't give the Leafs much of anything, and they drew a penalty halfway through the period.

And.... they gave up a shorthanded breakaway goal. The last thing you can do there. Kapanen turned it over, and Dobson didn't retreat fast enough, allowing Laughton a breakaway, beating Dobes on a slapshot.

After that, the momentum shifted in Toronto's favour. Dobes had to make a couple of big saves to keep it tied.

They killed off the Leafs' power play as well, keeping it tied to force overtime.

Overtime:

OT solved nothing. Very boring. A lot of circling back.

Shootout:

Dobes stopped Nylander.

Caufield scores (obviously)

Matthews scores

Texier with a nasty move, scores

Tavares stopped by Dobes

Habs win!

Thoughts:

A very good game played by Montreal. They were the better team for the majority of the game, and Hildeby kept the Leafs in it for the second period, especially.

Their defense was much better in this game than in previous ones. They were basically perfect all night until that breakaway goal. A shame.

Still, they got the win, which they deserved. It's always nice beating the Leafs.

Hab of the Night: Cole Caufield

Scored Montreal's only goal in the game, and scored in the shootout as well. Shoutout to Dobes as well.

Next Up: Vs Blues

A game they should win.... Blues are a beatable team. They don't score a lot, but Monty is playing. A win would put them first in the division.

Article by Jacksen MacLean/