Canadiens Lineup

Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Rem Pitlick

Mike Hoffman – Jake Evans – Josh Anderson

Joel Armia – Christian Dvorak – Brendan Gallagher

Paul Byron – Ryan Poehling – Jesse Ylonen

Alexander Romanov – David Savard

Joel Edmundson – Jeff Petry

Jordan Harris – Corey Schueneman

Sam Montembeault – Cayden Primeau

William Lagesson, Mathieu Perreault, Kale Clague, Michael Pezzetta, Laurent Dauphin, Tyler Pitlick, Chris Wideman

Jake Allen (lower-body), Justin Barron (lower-body), Jonathan Drouin (wrist), Carey Price (knee), Shea Weber (multiple injuries)

Game Report

Just ten games left for the Montreal Canadiens coming into this matchup. And for the Habs, they were perhaps looking for personal statistics, perhaps a moral victory and a chance to entertain their fans. Whatever the goals in mind, the home team came out flat managing just six shots in the first period. Winnipeg looked lethargic out of the gate as well, but they were perhaps suffering the effects of a back-to-back having played in Ottawa on Sunday night.

The pace picked up in the second period for both teams. While the Jets had the edge in shots on goal, it was the Canadiens who generated more high danger scoring chances testing Connor Hellebuyck. Sam Montembeault allowed two goals by the Jets, with Justin Barron’s brother, Morgan, being involved in both, picking up a goal and an assist.

While Josh Anderson tied the score early in the third period, the Jets scored two more to take the win and keep their slim playoff chances alive. For the Habs, it was their sixth loss in the last eight games (2-5-1.) By deflecting Jeff Petry’s point shot in the third period, Anderson tallied the 100th goal of his NHL career.

The bright spot for the Canadiens was the play of their fourth line, centred by Ryan Poehling with Paul Byron and Jesse Ylonen. They used speed and strength to possess the puck and create turnovers. Ylonen was tied for the team lead with three shots on goal in just 11:23 of ice time.

Up Next

Post-game the Canadiens sent Ylonen to Laval. He is one of a list of players who is waiver exempt and will help make room for Montreal to be able to activate Carey Price. It’s unfortunate that Marty St. Louis, who has little regard for his fourth line, didn’t give himself a better opportunity to learn more about a player who could make an some noise in a middle six role next season.

The Canadiens head to Columbus for a quick road game against the Blue Jackets on Wednesday night.

Plus

Minus

Game Preview