Dach, Hoffman on a Roll | Habs Notepad

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Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Mike Hoffman, Kirby Dach, Laval Rocket, Trois-Rivieres Lions

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — The Pittsburgh Penguins rolled into the Bell Centre on Saturday to face the Montreal Canadiens. Pittsburgh had a 2-1 lead through 40 minutes before the teams exchanged five goals in the third period and head into overtime. Montreal needed 1:03 of three-on-three action to lamp the red light and end the night with 5-4 victory.

The Canadiens scored three tying goals in the third period for the first time in franchise history since Jan. 7th, 1919.

“It’s starting to become a pattern. We never give up. Tonight, we weren’t winning the game, but we were winning. We played a good game and continued doing what we do and believed that the way we played will bring us to where we want at the end of the game,” coach Martin St. Louis said post game.

Hoffman on a Roll

Mike Hoffman extended his goal streak to three games on Saturday by scoring the overtime winner. Prior to this sequence, the forward had one goal in 10 games.

Hoffman’s streak began when he was slotted to the left of Christian Dvorak and Brendan Gallagher. “I thought its been good. Obviously, since the first game in Detroit where we got put together, we’ve been having a little bit of success. We all bring something different to the table and hopefully good things can continue to happen,” Hoffman said prior to Saturday’s puck drop.

Hoffman putting numbers on the scoresheet is good news for the organization. With an abundance of forwards on the roster, the veteran is certainly on Kent Hughes‘ wish list of players that he would like moved to another team. The 32-year old has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $4.5-million.

You can watch Hoffman’s four goals during his three-game streak in the video below.

 

Dach Playing Freely

Kirby Dach continues having success playing on the top line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Since being slotted on that line, Dach has scored three goals and added eight assists. He has obtained at least one point in six of the seven games during the sequence.

“He’s just playing the game. He’s not playing his game, he’s playing the game,” St. Louis said about Dach. “When you understand that as a player, you get on base every shift and every now and then you get your home run ball. He’s just playing the game. It’s a sign of intelligence, absorbing and applying. We coach him. That’s our job. He’s progressed very rapidly and I think taking a little bit of the pressure off of winning faceoffs all the time. I feel he’s playing free right now because he doesn’t have that responsibility.”

When the Canadiens acquired Dach via trade during the draft and subsequently signed to a four-year contract, it was viewed by several observers as a risky move. During his time with the Blackhawks, the forward struggled remaining consistent. It is still early in his tenure with Montreal, but Hughes’ gamble seems to be paying off so far.

Rocket Losing Trip

The Laval Rocket hit the road this weekend for three games in three days in three cities. On Friday, the Rocket blew an early 2-0 lead after allowing three goals in 2:28 to the Utica Comets. Laval had to come from behind twice to force overtime. Anthony Richard scored the winning goal in the 5-4 victory.

“A big win. We showed a lot of character. It wasn’t easy in the first period after being up 2-0, they made it 3-2 within five minutes. Our guys worked and found a way to win,” Jean-Francois Houle said.

On Saturday, Laval trailed 2-0 though 40 minutes against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms when Justin Barron and Jesse Ylonen scored power play goals to tie the game. The Phantoms retook the lead 90 seconds later and sealed the 3-2 victory.

On Sunday, the Hershey Bears had a 3-0 lead through 40 minutes before Richard put Laval on the board. The Bears added an empty net goal for 4-1 victory.

“We’re a very fragile team right now. I liked the start of our game. Our first nine shots were all dangerous, but weren’t able to score. After that, we held on to our sticks tightly,” Houle said.

Rem Pitlick made his debut with the Rocket over the weekend, collecting three assists on the trip. “It was fun to be out there. A lot more ice, a lot more touches. It felt pretty good,” Pitlick said in Utica. “He was very good. I find that he brings to another level offensively. He got two points tonight and he made really nice passes on two goals,” added Houle.

The Rocket begin a four-game homestand on Wednesday against the Abbotsford Canucks.

(Quotes courtesy of BPM Sports)

Lions Split Weekend

Travel delays caused by Hurricane Nicole forced the postponement of Friday’s game between the Trois-Rivieres Lions and the Jacksonville Icemen. The Lions arrived in Florida on time for Saturday’s match.

The game was tied 2-2 with eight minutes remaining in the third period when Jacksonville scored three times in a 1:51. Trois-Rivieres was not able to recover from that stretch and went on to lose 5-2.

On Sunday, Orlando opened the scoring during the fifth minute of play on the power play. Goalie Philippe Desrosiers got injured on the play and Joe Vrbetic came into relief. Trois-Rivieres scored two times in the second period and that was all they needed as they headed to a 2-1 victory.

The Lions begin a three-game homestand on Wednesday when the Norfolk Admirals visit the Colisee Videotron.

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By Chris G., Senior Writer
All Habs Hockey Magazine
Copyright © 2022 Rocket Sports

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