Canadiens Lineup

Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Artturi Lehkonen – Max Domi – Paul Byron

Jonathan Drouin – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Joel Armia

Nick Cousins – Nate Thompson – Nick Suzuki

Victor Mete – Shea Weber

Brett Kulak – Jeff Petry

Ben Chiarot – Cale Fleury

Carey Price – Keith Kinkaid

Mike Reilly, Christian Folin, Jordan Weal

Game Report

It was a lackluster game for the first 14 minutes, or so. Minnesota, off to their worst start in franchise history, generated little. It appeared that the Canadiens were only too willing to play down to the level of their opponent.

And then, as if commanded by the ghosts of the Forum themselves, it was Victor Mete who ended the longest active goal drought in the NHL, scoring his first career marker. With an assist, Nick Cousins picked up his point in a Habs sweater.

In each of their six losses, the Wild have given up multiple goals within a two minute time span. Tonight it was Joel Armia and Nick Suzuki playing that role giving the Canadiens a 3-0 lead after the first period.

For Suzuki it was also his first NHL goal achieved in his seventh career game. Armia scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season and his second via the power-play.

The Wild managed just 17 shots on goal but generated five high danger scoring chances. And when they did Carey Price was there to earn his first shutout of the season. With 45 career shutouts, Price is just one behind Ken Dryden.

The Canadiens will practice at 10:45 am. at Brossard before heading to St. Louis for a Saturday matinee.

Plus / Minus

▲  Carey Price, Brendan Gallagher, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Joel Armia, Phillip Danault

▼  Paul Byron