Marc Dumont
According to Montreal Canadiens forward Mathieu Perreault, even his wildest dreams couldn’t live up what happened last night.
“You don’t even dream about a moment like (last night),” admitted Perreault after his natural hat-trick gave the Habs a massive 6-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings and blew the roof off of the Bell Centre. “You just dream about being in the NHL and maybe have a chance to play for the Canadiens. And now actually to score a hat-trick in your home building, it’s not even stuff you dream about really. It’s an unbelievable feeling and I’m just trying to take it in as much as I can.”
The man who grew up an hour outside the city in Drummondville was the perfect embodiment of the Habs start to the year. From healthy scratch to hero all in the span of a week. His hat-trick made the building on Avenue Des Canadiens shake in a way it simply hasn’t in almost 600 days.
“When they chanted my name, I mean I had chills on my back,” chuckled Perreault post-game. “It was one of those special moments that you remember for the rest of your life.”
Maybe a special moment like that is enough to break the tension around the team, the fan base and the city. For a few days at least.
Here are your Montreal Canadiens player ratings
Goaltender
Jake Allen – 9/10
His first shot on goal was a partial breakaway by Red Wings forward Adam Erne that he sprawled to get a pad on. He’s been terrific to start the year and deserved an easier evening at the office like the one he had last night.
Defencemen
Jeff Petry – 6/10
Kind of shocking that he played 26:19 in a blow out. Maybe the coaching staff was trying to get him some confidence. His puck handling and distribution on the power-play are still iffy. But had a better gap and didn’t let much get past him.
Ben Chiarot – 7/10
He’s currently the third most penalized player in the entire league. But it had to feel good to get the team back into the game with his equalizer. Recognized the space open to him and Drouin found him sneaking down low. Pretty damn good finish as well. He needed that.
Alexander Romanov – 6/10
Had one moment that nearly resulted in a tap-in against in the first when he completely lost his man in front of the net. But he continues to look better next to Savard. Not sure if the idea was for he, Evans or Lehkonen to come out and challenge Larkin on his power-play goal. Left him way too much space. Still thinking a bit too much.
David Savard – 7/10
Picked up an assist on Chiraot’s goal as his pinch and hold along the boards created the opportunity for the goal. Passing was much better. If he and Romanov continue to develop chemistry they should be fine. Functionality is already better. Part of a penalty-kill that continues to disappoint. Underrated dekes in his own end.
Brett Kulak – 7/10
Didn’t know how his pairing on his off-side with Niku would work. Well, it worked brilliantly. The advanced stats say that the pair controlled possession nearly every time they were on the ice. Won the battle in front of the Red Wings bench and then sent the odd-man rush the other way for Dvorak’s goal. His first really solid game of the season.
Sami Niku – 8/10
“Niku, Niku, Niku!” rang out around the Bell Centre when he was introduced as the second star. Was aggressive all night long. His pinch at the blueline kept the puck in for Perreault’s second. Simplified things on the power-play by moving the puck quickly. Picked up two assists on Hoffman and Dvorak’s goal. Definitely earned another game. A “merci” for the French fans post-game as well. The kid is already playing politics! A great start to his Montreal Canadiens career.
Forwards
Nick Suzuki – 6/10
Saw flashes that he is getting back to normal. Made some slick moves that he only pulls off when he’s feeling confident. But couldn’t put it all together. Still looked a little gun shy. But a step in the right direction.
Mike Hoffman – 8/10
Bullet. Missile. Snipe. Rocket. Use whatever description you like for his first period goal on the man advantage. That was such a massive goal to give the Montreal Canadiens a lead they’d only held for just over two minutes all season. Surprised by how well and easily he has settled in at even strength. Four shots on goal and has to be respected on the power-play. Oozes confidence.
Brendan Gallagher – 6/10
Kind of got lost in the shuffle of a brilliant night for his teammates. Didn’t stand out in any particular way. He won’t care. He’s all about the wins.
Christian Dvorak – 8/10
That had to be one of the coldest first-goal-as-a-Hab celebrations ever. Sure, it was a deflection off a skate. But enjoy yourself, son! Curiously bad night in the dot. Filled in the gaps on the power-play. Just kept the puck ticking in the build-up to Hoffman’s goal. He’s hardly put a foot wrong since joining the Montreal Canadiens.
Jonathan Drouin – 8/10
He is feeling it big time right now. It’s a cliche but the game seems to just slow down when he has the puck on his stick. Epitomized poise on Chiarot’s goal. Got the puck on his stick and just waited that extra second for the diagonal passing lane to the Habs defenceman to open up. Picked up another apple on Dvorak’s goal. He’s been a great story amidst the disastrous start for the team.
Josh Anderson – 9/10
He could seriously have about 10 goals this season. Just cannot finish for his life! Did everything but score last night. The energy in the building picks up every time he grabs the puck with speed. With the team crying out for a leader early, he has led the way with his consistently impressive play. Maximum effort.
Mathieu Perreault – 10/10
What more can be said? A natural hat-trick to give his childhood team their much-needed first win of the season. A snipe glove side for his first. A tap-in for his second and an empty-netter for his third. His smile shone across the jumbotron at the Bell Centre. Also led the team with six shots and was their best faceoff man at 71%. An unbelievable night he’ll never forget.
Cole Caufield – 6/10
Like Suzuki, had flashes where he looked more confident. And if not for some key blocks by Detroit defenders could have probably scored his first of the season. But he’s still fighting it a bit. His first point of the season will do him a world of good. Great pass to Toffoli on a 2-on-1 that should have been a goal.
Tyler Toffoli – 7/10
A beauty no-look backhand pass to Perreault for his second. Caufield sent him in alone but he missed the net glove side. His speed was much better last night. He’s the closest to breaking out up front for the Montreal Canadiens.
Jake Evans – 6/10
Mixed bag from him. Not sure where he was going on Larkin’s opener. Just left the ice wide open for Detroit’s captain to walk down and wire it past Allen. His entire line improved with the confidence flowing through the group. Tenacious on the penalty-kill the rest of the way. Even dominated the boards down low at times.
Artturi Lehkonen – 6/10
Still waiting for him to stand out. And not for missing the net on big chances. Mix up between he and Evans led to Larkin’s goal. Weird start to the season so far.
Joel Armia – 6/10
Flashed the kind of physical dominance every Habs fan wants to see. But like his linemates it came in spurts. Surprisingly the least use Habs forward.
Coach
Dominique Ducharme – 7/10
Admitted post-game “it’s been a long ten days.” Hopefully he can relax a bit for 24 hours. Introduced Niku to the lineup and it worked beautifully. Penalty-kill continues to hemorrhage goals. But the power-play scored and his team dominated the game at 5-on-5. Praised post-game by Chiarot for his steady presence during this tough stretch.
Fans
A P.S here to everyone in the Bell Centre last night. A special atmosphere and moment for a team that desperately needed it. Well done!
