Habs News: Montreal Canadiens, Habs, Week In Review, Jake Allen, Corey Perry, Jake Evans, Claude Julien, Joel Armia
ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — The Canadiens began their week on Monday with a 6-2 victory against the Canucks. Jeff Petry was the first star of the night by scoring twice and adding one assist. Claude Julien said that he felt that the team responded well after losing their previous match against the Flames.
The following night, the Habs celebrated Shea Weber‘s 1000th career game in the National Hockey League (NHL) with a 5-3 win against the Canucks. Tyler Toffoli scored two goals and added one assist against his former team. He has scored eight of his nine goals this season against Vancouver, including a highlight reel goal.
#Habs Tyler Toffoli scores top corner with a back handed shot vs #Canucks
Assists: Kotkaniemi, Weber@AllHabs @RocketSports #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/EJltm1BOeY
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) February 3, 2021
“He’s scored some pretty incredible goals. You just look at that one tonight, the one-on-one where he goes through his legs and then puts it on his backhand top-shelf. I was just in awe. I couldn’t believe it. He’s been awesome. He’s been a very consistent player for us and a very dangerous threat out there. We’re very lucky to have him,” Josh Anderson spoke about his teammate.
Senators Surprise Habs
On Thursday night, the Senators visited the Bell Centre in the first game of a home-and-home series. Brendan Gallagher opened the scoring before Ottawa scored three goals and went on to win 3-2.
“It’s definitely a little bit deflating. It’s always tough to give up one goal at the end of a period like that, but when you give up two, it leaves a little bit of a sour taste in your mouth,” Carey Price said on Ottawa’s two goals scored in the final minute of the first period.
It was a loss that surprised many fans and experts. Headed into the matchup, the Canadiens were first overall in the NHL standings, while their opponents were in last place.
“We had a bad game in our system and tonight was the night. I don’t think that we looked at Ottawa as an easy game. For sure our guys didn’t see it that way,” Julien said.
Habs Bounce Back
In Saturday’s rematch, the score was tied 1-1 after two periods of play. The coach wasn’t happy with the team’s work ethic for a second consecutive game and he addressed it during the second intermission.
“He was just trying to get us motivated. It’s a tight game, we weren’t really generating too much offensively,” said Nick Suzuki about Julien’s message.
“I’m not the type of person that likes to share that type of information. I just wanted us to find a way to win the game. I wanted to motivate the guys a bit so we’d be ready to give more,” added Julien.
The Canadiens responded early in the third period and it lead to Josh Anderson scoring the eventual game winning goal, 1:35 into the final frame to give Montreal a 2-1 win. With that goal, Anderson and Toffoli became the first set of teammates since 1981-82 to score at least eight goals in the first 12 games of the Canadiens season.
Montreal will host Toronto and Edmonton on consecutive nights starting on Wednesday, before heading to Toronto on Saturday to face the Maple Leafs.
Allen Performing
The first item on Marc Bergevin‘s off-season shopping list was finding a backup goalie for Carey Price. Someone that the organization can trust to play 30 times in an 82-game season.
The general manager didn’t waste any time and acquired Jake Allen from the Blues in return for three draft picks. The trade was completed even prior the NHL playoffs were concluded. Bergevin targeted Allen and didn’t bother waiting for the off-season when there would be a bigger pool of options.
Allen has delivered positive results in the Canadiens uniform. He has won four of his five starts, with a 1.81 goals-against-average, and .940 save percentage.
“He’s real calm in the net. You could see throughout the whole game. He plays the puck well. He’s always pretty much making the first save. It’s up to us to find those rebounds. He’s played great every single game he’s been in the crease for us. We’re lucky to have him behind Carey,” Suzuki said on Saturday following Allen’s 34-save performance.
“Jake’s playing some great hockey right now. When you have a goaltender playing well like that, why not throw him in there? He’s got an excellent work ethic, and he’s playing some quality minutes for us. We’re definitely – especially me – thankful to have him here,” Price said about his partner.
Allen’s Role
There’s no risk of a goaltending controversy in Montreal – outside of social media of course. Allain Roy, Allen’s agent, won’t post on Twitter that his client should be the team’s number one goalie. It’s clear to everyone that the role belongs to Price.
“It’s been pretty good. That’s why I’ve been brought in here, to give Carey some rest. He’s played the most minutes in the League in the last five, six years. Coming here, play well for the team, but also really spot him and make sure he’s fresh as can be,” said Allen. His five starts in 12 games represents the equivalent to 34 starts in an 82-game season.
“He was an important acquisition. We knew we got ourselves a good goaltender right away. He helps us give Carey rest. We don’t have a busy schedule right now, but we’re able to use both of our goaltenders to keep them fresh and ready. That should pay dividends for both of them,” Julien said.
Perry’s Leadership
Joel Armia‘s concussion recovery is on the mend. He began skating on his own last week, until he had flu-like symptoms. The club took no chances and kept him away from the team. Julien’s hoping that Armia returns to practice as early on Monday.
Corey Perry replaced Armia on the third line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Tyler Toffoli. Perry immediately became a staple on the power play, and became a nuisance to opponents with his net front presence. Perry has scored one goal and added two assists in seven games.
“He’s a good leader, he’s a good pro, he’s a good veteran. Exactly what our team was able to bring to our group here in order for us to continue to try and get better as a hockey club,” Julien said following Monday’s game against the Canucks where Perry recorded his 800th career point.
#Habs Corey Perry passes it to Jeff Petry for tap in goal vs #Canucks
Assists: Perry, Kotkaniemi@AllHabs @RocketSports #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/dYMfFFgO6u
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) February 2, 2021
Once Armia is healthy to return, the Canadiens won’t be able to keep Perry on the active roster without making another move. The only players that can be moved to the taxi squad without waivers are Nick Suzuki, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Jake Evans, and Alexander Romanov. All four have been key in the team’s success.
During Armia’s absence, Perry was considered an emergency recall as the club didn’t have any extra forwards on the roster, and not enough cap room to recall a player from the taxi squad.
The Canadiens will benefit from Perry’s leadership on the taxi squad. Evans and Petry brought up Perry’s work ethic and positivity since the veteran joined the team. Perry is the type of leader that will help keep young players like Ryan Poehling, and Cale Fleury motivated to continue working hard and be ready for their opportunity.
Evans Hit in the Head
Another week, and another unpenalized head shot. During Saturday’s game in Ottawa, Erik Gudbranson hit Evans directly to the head with his shoulder. There was no penalty on the play, and no supplemental discipline from the Department of Player Safety.
https://twitter.com/HeresYourReplay/status/1358147089910366209?s=20
“The way we saw it is shoulder to the head, but there was no call on the ice, and I don’t know how the league is going to look at it, so we’ll leave it in their hands,” Julien said on the hit.
Seven days earlier, the Canadiens ended up on the penalty kill after Kotkaniemi received a head shot. There was no penalty called against Montreal following Gudbranson’s hit. I suppose that’s progress?
“It’s not just us. I mean this is something that has to be looked upon across the league. You always want to keep players safe, whether they are on your team or the other team. The safety of individuals is of the upmost importance,” Julien commented.
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By Chris G., Senior Writer
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