Final Evaluations | Habs Notepad

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Emil Heineman, Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montréal / QMI Agency)

Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Sam  Montembeault, Laval Rocket, Trois-Rivieres Lions

Emil Heineman, Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montréal / QMI Agency)

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — The Montreal Canadiens continued their four-game homestand on Saturday by hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Carolina dominated the 60 minutes and blanked Montreal 3-0.

“We were definitely frustrated but we didn’t have enough gas in the tank to do something about it. When we had opportunities to make a play, we didn’t connect and we couldn’t make a pass,” coach Martin St. Louis said. St. Louis added that he had been part of these types of games and they are deflating and frustrating.

“I think we got what we deserved,” forward Joel Armia said following his first game since February 21st. “Everything we did, we played in their hands. I feel like we didn’t put the pucks deep where we needed to, we didn’t skate as good as we needed to.”

The Canadiens finished the game with 14 shots on goal and the 21,105 fans at the Bell Centre showed their displeasure of the home team’s performance with boos. St. Louis visibly disappointed with his team stated that he agreed with the spectators.

Montembeault Kept It Close

Following the contest, St. Louis and the players credited Sam Montembeault for keeping it close. Carolina peppered the goalie with 50 shots on goal and was named the third star.

“I don’t think that any point of the game we played good except for [Montembeault] in net. Without him, it could have been a lot different,” Armia said.

“We got outplayed in every area and it’s not a good recipe for success. We hung out [Montembeault] to dry and it could have been way worse. He played a hell of a game,” captain Nick Suzuki said.

The coaching staff appears to have full confidence in the 26-year old goalie. Montembeault has started six of the team’s nine last games. During this sequence, he has a 2-3 record, 3.21 goals-against-average and .910 save percentage.

Final Evaluations

The Canadiens have five games remaining before the end of the regular season. This week, the Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals visit the Bell Centre to complete the homestand before Montreal travels to Toronto on Saturday to face the Maple Leafs.

St. Louis stated that the evaluations of players is practically complete at this point. It’s safe to assume that the team has all the information needed on the veterans.

The organization is likely wanting to continue evaluating the young talent on their roster. Montreal has one regular recall remaining to use, which can potentially be used to give Cayden Primeau another start or give Emil Heineman a look at the NHL level.

Rocket Perfect Road Trip

The Laval Rocket finished their road trip over the weekend with stops in Rockford and Milwaukee. On Friday, Heineman opened the scoring late in the second period and Mitchell Stephens added a pair of goals as Laval blanked the Rockford IceHogs 3-0. 

“[Primeau] made big saves. We made too many turnovers in the first period and he kept it at 0-0. We ended up finding the back of the net and we finished the game strong,” coach Jean-Francois Houle said.

Primeau’s 26-save performace was his second shutout of the season and 10th career in the AHL. He was named the first star the game and the AHL’s third star on Friday. “It’s fun to see him this way. He has confidence right now, he’s making key saves, he’s in control and hope he continues like this,” Houle evaluated Primeau.

On Saturday, the Rocket trailed by one goal through 40 minutes against the Admirals when Laval scored the next three goals and head to 6-4 victory. Special teams made a difference for Laval as they netted two power play goals and one shorthanded. Heineman continued producing adding two points to his record.

The Rocket returned home from their four-game road trip with eight points in the standings and currently hold the North division’s final playoff spot. They have a three point lead over the Belleville Senators and the Cleveland Monsters. The Monsters have two gams in hand over Laval.

Cleveland will be at Place Bell for Laval’s next game on Friday, which can potentially push the losing team out of the race.

(Quotes courtesy of BPM Sports)

Lions Eliminated

The Trois-Rivieres Lions were in Reading over the weekend for a tripleheader against the Royals. On Friday, the score was tied through 20 minutes when the Royals exploded with a four-goal second period and head to 6-2 victory. The loss eliminated the Lions from clinching a playoff spot.

“We are very disappointed with that. It was one of our goals to make the playoffs. To be officially eliminated is a tough pill to swallow,” coach and general manager Marc-Andre Bergeron said.

On Saturday, Trois-Rivieres had a 3-1 lead through 40 minutes and that is all they needed to obtain the victory against Reading.

On Sunday, the teams were tied through 60 minutes and sent the teams to overtime. For the first time of the season, the seven minute overtime period did not settle a winner in a match involving the Lions. Trois-Rivieres succeeded in two of the three attempts to register the 3-2 victory.

“It was our third game in as many days so it might not have been our most perfect duel of the season. However, unlike many other times, we found a way to win. We slipped up too many times this year, and I was happy to see the guys go for the win,” Bergeron said.

The Lions continue their road trip with a tripleheader against the Newfoundland Growlers starting on Friday.

(Quotes courtesy of Le Nouvelliste)

Listen to the Canadiens Connection podcast

We discussed last week’s additions of Sean Farrell and Cayden Primeau to the lineup and raised an eyebrow at Marty St. Louis’ reaction to them.

Here’s a brand new episode of the Canadiens Connection podcast!

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By Chris G., Senior Writer
Habs Hockey Report
Copyright © 2023 Rocket Sports

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