Canadiens Lineup

Rem Pitlick – Nick Suzuki – Josh Anderson

Mike Hoffman – Kirby Dach – Jesse Ylonen

Christian Dvorak – Evgenii Dadonov

Michael Pezzetta – Alex Belzile – Harvey-Pinard

Mike Matheson – David Savard

Joel Edmundson – Justin Barron

Jordan Harris – Johnathan Kovacevic

Arber Xhekaj

Sam Montembeault – Cayden Primeau

Chris Wideman

Carey Price (knee), Paul Byron (hip), Sean Monahan (lower-body), Kaiden Guhle (lower-body), Brendan Gallagher (lower-body), Jake Allen (upper-body), Jake Evans (lower-body), Joel Armia (upper-body), Jonathan Drouin (upper-body), Juraj Slafkovsky (lower-body), Cole Caufield (shoulder)

Game Report

The Canadiens played the fourth match tonight of a five game homestand, their longest of the season. Montreal was able to keep this game close, until Patrice Bergeron scored the game winner with just under three minutes to play. It was a significant accomplishment against the best team in the league.

Three weeks ago, it was an entirely different story – the group was at their low point in the season. The Canadiens had given up six goals as they ended a seven game road trip on a losing note in Nashville. In fact, the Habs had allowed 22 goals in the final three games of that trip, with Sam Montembeault in net for two of the three contests.

In last week’s media availability, Kent Hughes mentioned conversations that management had with the coaching staff, and declared that there had been a particular emphasis on defensive hockey recently.

New System

Fans saw the new approach work effectively to limit opposition scoring opportunities in games against the Islanders, Rangers, Jets, Leafs and particularly tonight against the Bruins. The system didn’t always lead to wins, but it kept the Canadiens close.

Against the Bruins, played that ‘prevent defence’ almost to perfection blocking 17 shots. Montreal skaters limited the league’s best offence to just nine high-danger scoring chances on Sam Montembeault.

Of course, to play this style, the Canadiens sacrificed their own offence, generating just two high-danger scoring opportunities all game. The Habs relied on their special teams and a strong night from Kirby Dach to keep it close. Dach’s breakout season continues already setting new career highs for goals and points – it should be noted that the Canadiens uptick in play coincided with Kirby’s return to centre.

For the Bruins, it was a game of constant pressure, patience and finding a way to win as their impressive season continues.

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