2-1

Canadiens Lineup

Jonathan Drouin – Max Domi – Artturi Lehkonen

Paul Byron – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Tomas Tatar – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Andrew Shaw

Kenny Agostino – Michael Chaput – Charles Hudon

Jordie Benn – Shea Weber

Mike Reilly – Jeff Petry

David Schlemko – Victor Mete

Carey Price – Antti Niemi 

Matthew Peca, Nicolas Deslauriers, Brett Kulak

Joel Armia

Game Report

Claude Julien thought that his goaltender stood on his head tonight in Glendale. And with a 36-save performance, Carey Price became the 35th goalie in NHL history to hit the 300-win milestone.

The Canadiens coach thought that Price was outstanding in Denver as well. It’s the reason that Price received the back-to-back starts. Julien explained that when a goaltender is hot, a coach has a tendency to ride him.

And right now, the Habs are relying on Price to deliver wins. The Montreal offence has dried up more than an Arizona desert. They have scored just one even strength goal in their last nine periods of hockey.

So, in addition to their goaltender stealing the game, the Canadiens needed a strong game from the defence. Shea Weber has been a monster at both ends of the ice. But tonight, Weber had company, with a fine effort by Victor Mete who played a solid 16:12, blocked two shots and played a key role on the game-winner. 

This game shone a spotlight on two young players, Alex Galchenyuk and Max Domi, who were traded for each other in the off-season. And perhaps the heat of that attention wilted the two. Neither Domi nor Galchenyuk were a factor in the outcome of the game.

Max Domi hasn’t scored in six games. Domi and Jonathan Drouin had the worst possession numbers on the Canadiens in this game.

Montreal picked up an important two points to maintain the final wild card spot. They got a favor tonight from the Golden Knights who knocked off the Islanders, a team who is just three points back of the Habs, with two games in hand.

The Canadiens will be in Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon to take on the Golden Knights in their final game before the Christmas break.

Plus / Minus

▲  Carey Price, Shea Weber, Victor Mete, Paul Byron 

▼  Jonathan Drouin, Max Domi, Charles Hudon, Kenny Agostino, Michael Chaput, Mike Reilly, David Schlemko