This edition of the Hidden Game is dedicated to Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson, who played the 600th game of his NHL career on Saturday against New Jersey.
Regrettably, it won’t be among Matheson’s cherished memories. Not only did the Canadiens lose 4-0 at the Bell Centre, he was tripped by Devils’ defenceman Brenden Dillon in the game’s seventh minute without a penalty being assessed. Matheson also took the only penalty of the opening period, for high sticking, at 16:51. Montreal successfully killed the infraction.
Matheson is one of the good guys in the dressing room, always available to the media. Always with insightful and erudite comments, without an attitude. Doesn’t mumble and talk in a monotone. In short, someone who understands the media has a job.
Fake news: Who said the Devils lack offence?
News you need (Part I): The Canadiens have now lost four consecutive home games. Nonetheless, spectators continue showing up in droves to support this bunch. At least the natives got somewhat restless as this exercise in futility progressed. As well, Montreal has now been shut out at home in consecutive games, and held to one goal over the last three. Home sweet home.
They have the Canadiens’ number: New Jersey improved to 10-0-0 against Montreal dating back to April 1, 2018. Indeed, the Devils haven’t lost at this venue since falling 2-1 in overtime on Dec. 14, 2017. Should these teams ever meet in the playoffs … take New Jersey.
News you need (Part II): The Devils’ 10 consecutive wins at the Bell Centre is the longest road streak by one franchise in Montreal in league history. New Jersey becomes the 13th franchise in NHL history to hold a double-digit road winning streak against the same opponent.
Spring training is just around the corner: We could see Samuel Montembeault playing the hot corner in the major leagues. Early in this one-sided contest, he made glove stops in quick succession against Jesper Bratt and Paul Cotter.
Like going to the rodeo: In the seventh minute of the opening period, Dillon took Alex Newhook down with some force. Remarkably, no penalty was assessed.
Like watching paint dry: The shots were 4-1 for the visitors following 10 minutes and 6-1 after 11.
History will note: Matheson recorded the Canadiens’ second shot, with 8:49 remaining in the period.
Doh: David Savard couldn’t handle a loose puck behind the Canadiens’ net, eventually resulting in the game’s opening goal.
Pass of the afternoon: Former Canadien Tomas Tatar, from behind the net, to Jesper Bratt on the opening goal.
This is how you play defence: Luke Hughes used some nifty stick work and blocked a Joel Armia opportunity late in the first period.
This is why teams lose: In the period’s final minute, Cole Caufield couldn’t convert a Nick Suzuki pass.
Where breakaways go to die: Hard-luck Josh Anderson, who has a history in this department, had another one in the sixth minute of the second period. His backhand attempt was stopped. by Jake Allen, the former Canadien.
Savard and Robinson they ain’t: Lane Hutson and Logan Mailloux never should be on the ice together — at least at this stage of their embryonic careers. Neither looked particularly strong defensively on the Devils’ second goal, by Cotter.
NHL officiating at its finest: It appeared Owen Beck took an elbow to the mouth from Timo Meier in the second period without a penalty call.
Still the most exciting play in hockey: With 15.7 seconds remaining, Beck was awarded a penalty shot after being interfered with by Hughes on his breakaway. Allen made a stick save on Beck’s snap shot.
On a positive note: Only 27 games remain.
Hard to believe: This is the same Canadiens’ team that went 16-6-1 between Dec. 3 and Jan. 21. Since then, the club has gone 1-6-1 — it’s only victory against San Jose, the NHL’s worst club.
Quick stats: Arber Xhekaj had a team-leading six shots, one more than Anderson. The Canadiens won 61 per cent of their faceoffs. Armia had five hits, while Juraj Slafkovsky had four. Alexandre Carrier blocked four shots. Montembeault, in his final appearance before the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, had a .818 save percentage. Allen blocked 34 shots for the 28th shutout of his career — and his fourth alone this season.
They said it: “Honestly, I kind of liked a lot of things we were doing,” Suzuki said. “I just feel like we couldn’t get that first goal and build our game from there. As the game went on our confidence went down. But I thought we were doing things better. We just didn’t get rewarded for that. Obviously, we need to find ways to score. We’ve generated some chances, but it hasn’t been good enough lately. Especially at home we need to get the crowd into it. Scoring no goals, it’s tough to do that.”
“Their goalie made a lot of good saves at important times,” Kirby Dach said. “We didn’t capitalize on the opportunities we were given. Sometimes it’s just the way the bounces go. We just couldn’t find the bounces in front. We need to play the way we’re being taught and stick to the plan. When we were playing that way it seemed to work. I feel like maybe we’ve deviated from that a little bit. We have to find a way to get back on that horse.”
“I know I have to be better,” Montembeault said. “I need to be more consistent. I can do better and be better. I have the chance the next two weeks to still go on the ice, work out and find my game. Practice with the best players in the world. I want to take this time to get my game back and come back strong after the break.”
“It’s always fun to play here,” Allen said. “It’s a special place to play in the league. I have all the respect in the world for those boys over there. It’s (just) another game for me.”