Sooner or later, the Canadiens will have to be reminded that overtime in the playoffs is not a three-on-three game. But for now it works.
For the fifth time in a row since the start of the campaign, the Habs managed to escape with a victory in overtime.
Five times in the first 12 games of the season. This has never happened in the history of the NHL.
The better things go, the more Martin St. Louis' men feel invincible when the match is on the line.
“We are confident going into overtime,” Juraj Slafkowski said. We know what to do and it works. »
This time it was Alex Newhook who played the hero in a 4-3 win over the Senators.
Another lost leader
The night ended well for the Habs, Samuel Montembeault and the fans. Except that once again the Montrealers played with fire. Because they developed a bad habit, they were unable to protect leadership.
“Besides, we took the trouble to talk about it this week,” Newhook said, a little irritated by the situation. At least we fought to get back. »
The Senators were even cruising to victory before Ivan Demidov tied the game with less than three minutes left in the third period. What's more, it was the third time the Habs had forced overtime in the final three minutes.
“The guys know we can score big goals,” St. Louis said.
“On the other hand, it would be nice to be able to widen the gap a little more,” he continued. We had chances to lead by more than two goals. This is not the first time this has happened to us since the beginning of the season. »
This little problem will have to be solved sooner or later. Otherwise, tricks will be played on the Canadian.
A dispute to be settled
This meeting began under the sign of hostility. In the Habs camp, we still haven't gotten over the blow that Nick Cousins dealt to Demidov during the preparatory calendar.
Sooner or later, the Senators forward will have to pay the price.
“As soon as the match started, I told him I was coming for him,” Jayden Struble said at the end of the match. I also warned my teammates in the locker room. I told Arber (Shekai) that I would take care of it. »
With both players barely on the ice at the same time, the Canadian defenseman had to wait until the third period to cross Cousins' name off his list. Let's say it didn't take long for the latter to kneel.
“You can’t walk on the ice and try to hurt our best players,” Struble defended himself, recalling that his opponent even had the nerve to ask Brendan Gallagher and… Alexandre Carrier to start the fight.
For the occasion, Travis Green decided to dress Kurtis McDermid, a slim forward acquired after the match fair in Quebec.
Colossus looked like a guy straight out of the LNA. Of course, the one who plays on the fourth line. He played a big 2 minutes 4 seconds.
Fortunately, we were not at the Clément-Chaunière Arena in Saint-Alphonse-de-Granby. Due to frostbite, his toes would likely have to be amputated.
