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If the Montreal Canadiens outscored their opponents 8-0 by way of two pre-season video games, they realized tonight that it is lots more durable to play towards an actual NHL caliber aspect. After 20 minutes of play, the Maple Leafs had taken a 1-0 lead by way of a John Tavares energy play aim.
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In the meantime, the Canadiens bought a few energy play alternatives throughout which they not solely did not rating, however they did not even take a shot. Granted, a lot of the gamers who had been within the lineup tonight are unlikely to get any man-advantage time when the true motion begins. Nonetheless, the penalized workforce mustn’t take extra photographs than the one with the person benefit.
Related: Canadiens vs. Devils: Nothing Hellish About Tonight’s Opponent
Montreal misplaced a variety of video games by a single aim final season, and capitalizing on an opponent’s mistake is the form of factor that can assist the workforce lower down that variety of brief loses. Evidently making the opponent play when it takes an ailing suggested penalty just like the Max Domi pointless crosscheck within the first, is a vital a part of the sport.
The Canadiens’ greatest participant by way of the primary body was surely Jakub Dobes. The goaltender made 12 saves on 13 photographs and a few of these saves weren’t straightforward. It is refreshing to see a younger keeper who does not drop to his knees too quick, The 23-year-old again stopper is 6-foot-4 and he is aware of the way to take advantage of his dimension.
The center session was higher for the Canadiens from an offensive standpoint, they took seven photographs in comparison with the meager three they bought on web within the first. Due to Alex Barre-Boulet’s exhausting work, Montreal even bought on the board after he dispossessed a Leaf and fed the puck to Christian Dvorak who simply beat Anthony Stolarz to stage the rating.
Related: Canadiens vs. Flyers: Unlikely Heroes Lead Montreal to Victory
Lane Hutson was as soon as once more noticeable within the sport, being as relentless as ever. Nevertheless, for a second sport in a row, he bought a high-sticking name attempting to catch as much as an attacker, vitality and tenaciousness is nice, however he nonetheless must study to manage his lumber. Catching as much as the opponent is improbable, however getting referred to as within the course of makes it pointless.
His stick work wasn’t all destructive nevertheless as he displayed nice hand-eye coordination to interrupt up a play with it in mid-air which might have despatched a participant in all-alone on Dobes.
Whereas Nick Robertson was in a position to put the Leafs again in entrance 2-1 after dispossessing Adam Engstrom, they might have been forward by far more if it hadn’t been for Dobes. The netminder was as soon as once more lights out, making a number of spectacular saves together with one on a breakaway and one other on an odd-man rush. 40 minutes in, the Leafs already had 29 photographs on aim and Dobes had a superb .931 save proportion.
Talking of Robertson, for causes unknown, within the first he tried to offer William Nylander a pace enhance with a stick push which made him fall, straight into the legs of Dvorak, the Core 4 member left the sport and did not come again, apparently for precautionary causes.
Nick Robertson shoves William Nylander down together with his stick.
Nylander’s head then collides with the Habs defenders knee. Nylander went straight to the dressing room
— Drew Livingstone (@ProducerDrew_) September 26, 2024
It wasn’t a great sport well being smart for the Leafs, on high of Nylander leaving, former captain John Tavares appeared affected by a Michael Pezzetta hit within the first and whereas he got here again, he skipped fairly a number of turns within the final body.
No targets had been scored within the ultimate body, Matt Murray who had changed Stolarz stopped the seven photographs he confronted whereas Dobes added 5 extra saves to his tally, ending the night time with a .941 save proportion and incomes the second star of the sport.
The Leafs’ NHL lineup put 34 photographs on the Canadiens’ web whereas the Montreal outfit solely examined their goalies 17 instances. Had it not been for Dobes’ efficiency, this might have been a one-sided affair. He has actually delivered tonight and there’s no doubt in my thoughts as to who ought to be the highest canine within the Rocket’s web this season.
The younger Canadiens now have a greater thought of what an actual NHL sport seems like. Martin St-Louis’ expenses dedicated 21 giveaways tonight, it is fairly exhausting to be aggressive while you preserve turning the puck over. In addition they struggled within the faceoff circle, the Leafs successful 62% of the attracts. Oliver Kapanen misplaced 11 of his 13 duels, a positive approach for him to comprehend he nonetheless has some work to do and a few reps to get earlier than he is an actual NHLer.
Related: 5 Fascinating Statistics About the Canadiens and Maple Leafs Rivalry
Montreal may have an opportunity to avenge tonight’s loss once they host the Leafs on the Bell Centre at 7:00 PM ET on Saturday night time. Likelihood is the roles can be reversed with the Habs dressing a NHL-like roster and the Leafs giving an evening off to a lot of their regulars, that is simply how the pre-season goes.
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