The Montreal Canadiens’ losing streak hit three games with a 3-1 defeat to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena.
Sidney Crosby scored twice for the Penguins. Christian Dvorak ended a 15-game goalless drought, dating back to last season, to put the Canadiens on the board.
Juraj Slafkovsky left the game late in the third period after taking a hit to the head by Noel Acciari. Coach Mike Sullivan put Acciari on the ice at the end of the game, and Arber Xhekaj tried to get revenge.
After giving up 14 goals in losses to the Kraken and Capitals this week, the Habs showed a slight improvement with merely a dull opening period.
Crosby opened scoring with a snipe after being given a little too much space in the offensive zone.
In the second period, Crosby scored again, this time on the power play with a much different shot. He showed his quick release after trading spots with Kris Letang at the point to put the Pens up 2-0 after 40 minutes.
The Canadiens desperately needed a goal early in the third period, and they got one from an unlikely source. The beleaguered Dvorak jumped on his own rebound to score his first of the season. 2-1 Pens.
That’s as close to coming back as the Habs would get. Blake Lizotte scored an empty-netter to make it 3-1, but just prior, Acciari delivered a hit to Slafkovsky’s head, forcing the young Hab to the tunnel to get checked out. With Acciari out in the final minute, the Canadiens vented their frustrations on the perpetrator and his teammates. Jayden Struble and Ryan Graves dropped the gloves as time expired.
Xhekaj only played 12:16, but he was in the crosshairs all night, whether it was taking an early penalty for roughing up Acciari in the corner, or delivering a slash that went uncalled in the second. But when Slafkovsky took a dangerous hit in the third, the bench-warming rearguard was the one who went to bat for his fallen teammate.
Outside of the final moments, it was a listless Saturday night in Pittsburgh. After getting blown out in consecutive games, allowing only three goals, including one empty-netter, might be considered a slight improvement. The Habs did get a better performance in net from Sam Montembeault, who made 21 saves.
But after the coach’s candid comments following the loss to the Capitals and the ensuing bag skate in practice, the Canadiens didn’t exactly come out with chips on their shoulders on Saturday.
Here’s what the Liveblog commenters had to say following Montreal’s third straight loss:
3. “As we all know, we have a chaotic defensive “system” and pretty much no offensive rhythm whatsoever. Every pass or play seems to be mis-timed, or mis-read, and a lot of perimeter play. Oh well … I guess we weren’t blown out so that’s an improvement?” — Justin Miller
2. “In games 1-4, the Anderson, gally, and Evans line was our best line. Why are they not a line? what is MSL gaining by having separated Slaf-Suzi-Cole? Last year the whole thing in second half was how Slaf got placed with Suzi to ‘learn to play the game right” and it worked. So what, now he’s on his own at barely 20? He looks lost again and this is not making sense. On a team with almost no offense at least we had a productive 1st line. What 4 lines are there to even ‘balance’? Also, I like Heinemen and I like Kapanen but I wouldn’t mind seeing Roy/Pezetta and Tuch up. Roy is not going to get any faster or better in the AHL and Pezetta works hard and wins puck battles and unlike all of these guys, he takes zero shifts off. Bad coaching, that simple.” — Simon Berudgo
1. “Well they haven’t lost ten in row yet. There’s always that. This team is going no where until they straighten things out in their own end. Xhejak showing a little spirit at the end. They’ll sit him next game.” — Doug Kirkby https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/14767170/