2-0

Canadiens Lineup

Paul Byron – Max Domi – Jonathan Drouin

Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Artturi Lehkonen – Jesperi Kotkaniemi –  Joel Armia 

Kenny Agostino – Michael Chaput – Nicolas Deslauriers

Victor Mete – Shea Weber

Mike Reilly – Jeff Petry

Brett Kulak – Jordie Benn

Carey Price – Antti Niemi

Charles Hudon, Karl Alzner, Matthew Peca 

Andrew Shaw, David Schlemko

Game Report

After a successful road trip to end the 2018 calendar year, the Canadiens opened a three-game home stand against the Vancouver Canucks. Montreal welcomed Carey Price and Joel Armia back to the lineup.

After missing 25 games, Armia looked a little rusty. He picked up a secondary assist on the Habs opening goal and generally looked good in the offensive zone making room for his linemates. It was in the Canadiens own zone that his timing and decision making was a little off. One of several miscues led to a highlight reel save from Carey Price.

.@CP0031 with the robbery. pic.twitter.com/M2TMrRXyEo

— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 4, 2019

It wasn’t the only spectacular save by Price in the game. After playing a strong opening period, Canadiens skaters put their feet up and turned over the game to their All-Star goaltender. The Habs were outshot 28-17 in the final 40 minutes.

Price was outstanding looking very sharp after returning from his lower body injury. It was a 33-save performance enroute to the 42nd shutout of his career.

Price’s job was made markedly more difficult as the Habs exhibited a lack of discipline in the third period leading to a steady stream of red sweaters to the penalty box. The Habs penalty-kill bolstered by Price was perfect on five short-handed occasions.

At the halfway point, the Canadiens hold on to the final wildcard spot in their quest to make the playoffs. As well as the first half of the season has gone it will take a better performance in the next 41 games to maintain or improve their standing.

Plus / Minus

▲  Carey Price 

▼  Brett Kulak, Max Domi, Mike Reilly