Marc Dumont
The Montreal Canadiens played their most complete game of the season so far and still came out on the losing end 3-1. Rangers forward Alexis Lafreniere’s third period goal seconds after Jonathan Drouin drew the Habs level proved to be the game-winner. The Montreal Canadiens have now started the season 0-3 and have only scored three goals through their opening three games.
The story of the night was the reception Drouin received from the Montreal Canadiens faithful on his return to Bell Centre ice. The forward repaid the fans’ adoration in the third period when he received a great pass from centreman Christian Dvorak in the slot. Drouin froze New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin, took the puck from his forehand to his backhand and finished emphatically into the roof of the net.
On cue, 21,000+ went ballistic in a celebration that was part Super Bowl, part World Cup final and part St.Jean Baptiste afterparty. After 585 days without a full crowd, at least the fans in the building went home with a memory they won’t soon forget despite the loss.
“The crowd, obviously I think we took (them) for granted a little bit the last couple of years,” admitted Drouin post-game. “Just to have them back, you could feel the energy in the warm-ups. It was awesome to have the crowd back, the adrenaline. “(They were) loud all night. (To have) that ovation, it was awesome to get that. I was expecting it a little bit but not that loud. It was obviously emotional for me a little bit and I’m very happy (to have had) that.”
Here are your player ratings from the Montreal Canadiens 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers
Goaltender
Jake Allen – 8/10
Through two games he has proven that he can hold down the fort while Carey Price is away. His best save was a monster sprawling right pad stop on Kreider to keep things level at 0-0. While the Habs pushed for the equalizer in the third, made some important saves on odd-man rushes including a Zibanejad partial breakaway. His play has deserved a win.
Defencemen
Jeff Petry – 7/10
Increased physicality seemed to bring out the best in his game. Led the blueline with four hits. Still hasn’t proved that he can run a wave of the power play which is concerning. But a step in the right direction for the Habs best defenceman. He and Romanov don’t work as a pairing however. Needs to be more aggressive supporting the attack. He’s the only one who can do it.
Alexander Romanov – 6/10
Had a really tough start to the game where he looked like he was reverting back to the poor play seen against Buffalo and Toronto. Then, blew up Kakko inside the Montreal Canadiens blueline and sent Caufield away with a stretch pass. After that, he seemed to settle. Hasn’t found the right balance between aggressive and solid just yet. But like Petry a step in the right direction. Bad luck for New York’s first as the puck caromed off his foot and past Allen.
Ben Chiarot – 5/10
Better than his horror show against Buffalo. But the way the coach is using him is nonsensical at this point. Left way too much space between he and Savard on Lafreniere’s goal. Allowed Zibanejad to rip right through the heart of the defence. Should never be on the ice with the goalie pulled trying to tie things up. Yet he was. Not all on him. Just not set up for success.
David Savard – 6/10
Anyone else freak out when he deked his way right into the slot off the rush? Well, him apparently as he passed up his moment of glory to try and force a pass to Gallagher rather than shoot. Just like that, the chance was gone. Poor defensive play on the game-winner. Got caught in no man’s land instead of covering Lafreniere off the rush. Zibanejad slipped it over to the Rangers winger and the game was over. Better on the penalty kill.
Brett Kulak – 6/10
Happened to pick up an assist on Drouin’s goal thanks to a simple pass in the neutral zone. Not sure if him not being noticeable was a good thing. Let’s go with sure. Least used Montreal Canadiens defenceman on the night.
Chris Wideman – 5/10
His head coach’s face after his cross-checking penalty late in the second period said it all. Ducharme was none too please. No egregious turnovers and again kept things ticking quarterbacking the power play. But can’t play 14 minutes and take two penalties to kill momentum in the middle frame. Eliminate those stick infractions and he was okay.
Forwards
Nick Suzuki – 6/10
Started the game brightly like he wanted to prove a point with his intensity. Looked engaged on the Habs first power play. After that though he did little to impress. Had a shift or two between the Canadiens parade to the penalty box in the second where he and Caufield threatened. But chances generated were few and far between. Confidence is low.
Cole Caufield – 5/10
Confidence is lower. Ducharme mentioned the pressure both he and Suzuki seem to be putting on themselves early in the season. Double clutched shooting opportunities several times. Flubbed a few as well. Didn’t play all that much and didn’t really deserve to.
Joel Armia – 6/10
In theory, the decision to put him on the left of Suzuki and Caufield made sense so he could retrieve pucks along the boards and create space for those two. Maybe it will work in the future but little changed for all three. His active stick broke up one or two dangerous chances on the penalty kill. Had the chance to tie things up all alone in tight on Shesterkin. But his tip went right into the Rangers goaltender’s belly.
Christian Dvorak – 7/10
Like in Buffalo, the Canadiens most used forward. 68 percent on faceoffs is par for the course for him so far this season. Penalty kill and power play looked better with him on it. Great drive into the zone and centering pass to Drouin for his goal. Had the chance to tie things up in the third as he weaved his way to the front of the Rangers net but was denied by Shesterkin’s blocker. Finishing does seem to be one of the few things he can’t do well so far.
Jonathan Drouin – 9/10
The Habs best player by a country mile. His one-touch passing all over the ice was easy on the eye and set up scoring chances for both Anderson and Gallagher. The best moments for the team offensively went through him. Best part about his game though is his renewed commitment to the back check and turning pucks over. We’ll see if that continues. Silky mitts to go from backhand to forehand to beat Shesterkin. Story of the night. Can’t help but feel happy for him after last season.
Josh Anderson – 6/10
Expected a lot more from him with the crowd going crazy. Seems like the kind of player who feeds off the energy of the fans. His one shot on goal was an odd-man rush that resulted in a slot shot that Shesterkin got his right shoulder on. But that was it from him offensively. Led the team with five hits but none of them were particularly memorable.
Jake Evans – 6/10
Will be having nightmares about that missed chance in the third. Turned Trouba inside out 1-on-1 but couldn’t pick a corner and instead fired it comfortably right on Shesterkin on a partial breakaway. Led the way in the faceoff dot at 80 percent. Great pass to Armia for what should have been a goal alone in front but he couldn’t tip it past the Rangers goaltender.
Tyler Toffoli – 5/10
Still far too anonymous for the Montreal Canadiens leading goal-scorer from last season. Box score says he had four shots on goal but none were particularly troubling or dangerous. Strangely seems as though he’s trying to find his place in the lineup. The team is looking for someone to step up offensively. As a veteran and with his track record, it really should be him.
Brendan Gallagher – 6/10
Like Toffoli, four shots on goal that were hardly memorable. Still can’t understand his usage as the net front presence on the power play. More himself as the pest extraordinaire in front of the opposition’s net. Received a great slot pass from Drouin late in the third but didn’t realize the time he had. Fired a low percentage shot from 40 feet out that did little to trouble Shesterkin. Like so many on the team, missing that one moment of composure to put a chance away.
Cedric Paquette – 6/10
Still played under 10 minutes. But 10 minutes of what the Habs and fans expect from him. Got into some scrums in front of the Rangers net. Played with some bite. 60 percent on faceoffs as well. Did well on the penalty kill. Robbed by Shesterkin’s glove after a high tip that seemed bound for the top corner. If he plays like that he’ll stay in the lineup.
Mathieu Perreault – 4/10
One shot on net nearly resulted in Paquette’s first as a member of the Montreal Canadiens. Took a horrible offensive zone hooking penalty that resulted in the Rangers opening goal. Hasn’t done nearly enough to deserve to stay in the lineup. He’ll likely sit when Hoffman is ready to get into the lineup wither Tuesday or Thursday.
Artturi Lehkonen – 5/10
Strange start to the season for a guy who usually stands out thanks to his hard work. Can’t remember much of anything he did to impact the game. Led the team in shorthanded time on ice by a forward so that’s something. Maybe.
Coach
Dominique Ducharme – 6/10
His team responded to his harsh words after the ugly loss on Buffalo. In theory, the changes he made to the forward lines made sense. But neither of the forward lines he tinkered with did much of anything offensively. The team’s battle level was certainly closer to where it needed to be. But some decisions, such as the Chiarot-Savard pairing and configurations on the power play units, continue to make little sense. From an attitude standpoint though, the effort was certainly better. Winless through three isn’t exactly ideal.
