Canadiens Lineup

Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Jonathan Drouin – Nick Suzuki – Josh Anderson

Tyler Toffoli – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Joel Armia

Paul Byron – Jake Evans – Artturi Lehkonen

Ben Chiarot – Shea Weber

Joel Edmundson – Jeff Petry

Brett Kulak – Alexander Romanov

Jake Allen – Carey Price

Victor Mete

Ryan Poehling, Michael Frolik, Corey Perry, Cale Fleury, Charlie Lindgren

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Game Report

The first period of Thursday night’s game looked like a re-run of the what we saw the night before. Tyler Toffoli and Joel Armia each scored a goal in the frame and assisted on each other’s goals. But the news wasn’t all positive as Montreal continued their parade to the penalty box with four players picking up minors in the first 20 minutes. 

It was a usual suspect on the home side making the Canadiens pay as Bo Horvat scored twice in the opening period, including a power-play goal with Brett Kulak in the box. This movie was all too familiar for Habs fans.

But as the second period began, with Joel Edmundson off for interference, Toffoli picked up his fifth goal of the season and his fifth in two nights. The shorthanded tally was once again assisted by Armia, who had one of his best games as a Canadien.

That seemed to spark Montreal who returned to their speedy ways, dominating Vancouver in the second period. The Canadiens scored four unanswered goal in the middle frame, outshooting the Canucks 18-3.

It was another strong effort from the Canadiens third line centered by Jesperi Kotkaniemi. They were the best Montreal trio again in this game.

It was a quiet night for Jake Allen who allowed three goals on 17 shots. The Canadiens limited Vancouver to just 10 shots in the first 40 minutes.

Tough Finish

Montreal finished the game down two forwards as Paul Byron hobbled to the dressing room after being hit in the leg by a Shea Weber shot. It appears that Armia suffered a concussion near the end of the game as he was taken down by Tyler Myers. The Canucks defenceman was assessed a match penalty and could be looking at supplementary discipline by the NHL Department of Player Safety.

The Canadiens will complete their three-game series against the Canucks on Saturday night.

Plus / Minus

▲ Joel Armia, Tyler Toffoli, Nick Suzuki

▼ Phillip Danault

Game Preview