Powered by a Samuel Montembeault in great shape, the Montreal Canadiens concluded their brief stint in New York by winning 2-1 against the Rangers on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
Head coach Martin’s squad had lowered their flag against the New York Islanders the day before. In the defeat, the Quebec goalkeeper had done very well. He got his second start in as many days and was spectacular again.
Montembeault repelled 39 of the 40 shots sent in his direction, thus signing his eighth victory of this campaign.
The Canadian started his clash against the “Blueshirts” with force, but was unable to outsmart Igor Shesterkin in the first period. The Russian goalkeeper, however, gave in on a shot from the wrists of Kirby Dach in the second period. The Bleu-Blanc-Rouge was playing with one more man at the time.
The Rangers had not said their last word, however, and Artemi Panarin put the puck in the back of the net before the end of the middle frame.
It was ultimately a goal from Cole Caufield that made the difference. The sniper took advantage of a good game from Nick Suzuki to register his 26th in 2022-2023 and give the victory to his team.
Elsewhere, Caufield provided an assist on Dach’s achievement. It was the first time that he was complicit in a net from one of his teammates since the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 23. The 22-year-old American thus ended a 23-game drought.
St. Louis had shuffled its cards before the game, due to the injury suffered by center Jake Evans the day before. The head coach returned to the formula 12 attackers and six defenders. Forwards Mike Hoffman and Michael Pezzetta were back in lineup, while fullback Chris Wideman watched the game from the catwalk.
The Habs now return to Montreal, where the Winnipeg Jets will make a stop on Tuesday night. This will be the first of five consecutive duels at the Bell Center for the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge.
Summary
3rd period
8:56 – BUTTT!!! Nick Suzuki finds Cole Caufield in the Enclave and you know the rest; the CH takes the reins of the match.
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Cole Caufield is unstoppable – January 15, 2023 –
2nd period
18:18 – INJURY! Joel Armia is checked by Jacob Trouba and retreats to the locker room. However, he resumed his position in the third period.
16:03 – BUTTT!!! The New Yorkers finally find the fault in the game of Samuel Montembeault, while Artemi Panarin brings the mark to 1-1,
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Panarin replica for Rangers –
4:54 – BUTTT!!! Kirby Dach finally solves the Shesterkin mystery with a surgically accurate shot and gives the Canadians the lead.
1st period
11:38 – Seconds after stopping Dadonov, Shesterkin repeated the feat against Joel Edmundson.
11:21 – The Russian Rangers goalkeeper is intractable, as he closes the door in front of Dadonov who was alone in front of him.
9:38 – Just after seeing Montembeault shine, Shesterkin is also acting up and this time Juraj Slafkovsky is his victim. What a stop!
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Two spectacular back-to-back saves –
6:25 – The Rangers buzz around Samuel Montembeault’s net, but helped by his posts, the Habs goalkeeper resists.
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Montembeault multiplies the stops! –
0:41 – Cole Caufield is frustrated by Igor Shesterkin who performs from the end of the pad.
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What a Caufield maneuver! –
0:00 – Start of the game!
