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‘Playing Catch-up Hockey’ | RECAP: NYI @ MTL

Rick Stephens

Montreal Canadiens vs New York Islanders, Game Recap: Habs, Line-up, Score, Statistics, Highlights, Post-game, Interviews, NHL, Three-Stars

FINAL | Game 12, Home Game 6 | Thursday November 4, 2021
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC

CANADIENS

Montreal

2-6

ISLANDERS

New York
Jake Allen, Christian Dvorak (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)

Canadiens Lineup

Forward lines

Tyler Toffoli – Nick Suzuki – Brendan Gallagher

Mike Hoffman – Christian Dvorak – Josh Anderson

Artturi Lehkonen – Jake Evans – Joel Armia

Michael Pezzetta – Adam Brooks – Alex Belzile

Defence pairings

Ben Chiarot – Jeff Petry

Brett Kulak – David Savard

Alexander Romanov – Chris Wideman

Goaltenders

Jake Allen – Sam Montembeault

Scratches

Sami Niku

Suspension

Cedric Paquette

Injuries

Jonathan Drouin (upper body), Mathieu Perreault (eye), Joel Edmundson (undisclosed), Carey Price (player assistance program), Paul Byron (hip), Shea Weber (multiple injuries)

Game Report

Canadiens fans are frustrated. And they are impatient with the inaction of the folks who run this franchise who seem content with watching this season spiral down the drain before the season is 15 games old. 

In the past we have heard a Bronx cheer or two at the Bell Centre when the crowd wishes to express their displeasure. But what happened on Thursday night was truly next level. 

Just five-and-a-half minutes into the third period, with the home side down by a score of 5-0, Ben Chiarot fired a meaningless shot from his own blueline 120 feet towards the Islanders goal. Ilya Sorokin made an easy save and the Bell Centre erupted with the sounds of the ‘Ole-Ole-Ole’ chant. 

Habs fans were clearly voicing their displeasure in the most obvious and condescending way they knew how. Sadly, the owner has been conspicuous by his absence all season. Will he finally get the message and demonstrate that he cares? 

It could have been worse

The Canadiens scored twice in the last five minutes of the game, both via special teams. But this was simply putting lipstick on a pig. The Habs had suffered another humiliating loss. The final score was flattering to Montreal; it wasn’t that close.

Who’s to blame? Take your pick!

The defence were a mess with David Savard and Brett Kulak having a particularly rough night. Christian Dvorak, supposedly well-known for his two-way game, was a minus-5! The line of Dvorak, Mike Hoffman and Josh Anderson was a collective minus-14.

Jake Allen allowed five goals on 25 shots for a save percentage of .800. Allen made way in the third period for Sam Montembeault. The Canadiens have allowed a minimum of five goals in each game following a win.

Mr. Molson, it’s time to clean house and turn this team over to experienced hockey people who understand that this team needs to develop the next core of the Canadiens from the pipeline of good young talent.

Up Next

The Canadiens host the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night at the Bell Centre.

Plus

▲  Nick Suzuki, Artturi Lehkonen, Joel Armia

Minus

▼  Christian Dvorak, David Savard, Mike Hoffman, Brett Kulak, Jake Allen, Josh Anderson

Game Preview

Check out the game preview here: Two In A Row? | PREVIEW: NYI @ MTL

The Numbers

Game Statistics
CANADIENS   ISLANDERS
38 Shots 36
54 Face-off % 46
1-for-3 Power Play 0-for-3
6 Penalty Minutes 6
22 Hits 26
62 Corsi For 37
Scoring Summary
FINAL 1 2 3 OT SO T
Canadiens (3-9-0) 0 0 2 – – 2
Islanders (4-2-2) 1 4 1 – – 6
Scorers Goalies
  • MTL: Suzuki (2)-SHG, Toffoli (2)-PPG
  • NYI: Nelson (3), Wahlstrom (5), Nelson (4), Nelson (5), Pageau (1), Nelson (6) 
  • MTL: Allen (L) (3-7-0), Montembeault
  • NYI: Sorokin (W) (4-2-2)

Stars of the Game

Official NHL Three Stars
  1. Brock Nelson  NYI
  2. Anthony Beauvillier  NYI
  3. Nick Suzuki  MTL

Watch

Video Highlights

What Did They Say?

Post-game Quotes

Dominique Ducharme

  • “We are certainly looking for more stability in defense. It’s obvious that it was more difficult for (Brett) Kulak and (David) Savard. Of course we want more consistency and execution from our defense, but we also ask that of everyone in the team.”
  • “It’s frustrating, but I’m not going to come here to make a show that’s going to end up on YouTube for 20 years… what I have to say, I’m going to tell my guys.”

Tyler Toffoli

  • “I think our intentions were good. But we made a few turnovers, and then we started playing catch-up hockey.”
  • “It’s frustrating. We try, we do what we need to do on the ice, but we end up making a couple of mistakes, and the puck ends up in the back of the net.”

Michael Pezzetta

  • “I felt good on the ice. It’s good to have won in my first game. I had fun. The energy was good with the crowd and the guys. I enjoyed it.”

Quotes courtesy of NHL.com

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