After an overtime win in Detroit, the CH was back in action tonight. For the occasion, it faced the Boston Bruins.
The team hasn’t won against the Bruins since November 2019. That’s a long time…
Here’s Martin St-Louis’ lineup:
Tonight’s lineup
Tonight’s lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/LGYHzeyuhS
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) November 12, 2023
Rafaël Harvey-Pinard was back in the lineup.
And here’s the lineup for Quebec’s Jim Montgomery.
Per warmups:
Marchand-Zacha-Pastrnak
Van Riemsdyk-Coyle-Frederic
Heinen-Poitras-DeBrusk
Lauko-Beecher-SteenLohrei-McAvoy
Lindholm-Carlo
Forbort-MitchellSwayman
– Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) November 11, 2023
As was the case against the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier in the week, the Canadiens started the game on the back foot.
Pavel Zacha scored just 36 seconds into the game. Charlie McAvoy, who was back in action after serving his four-game suspension, and Brad Marchand picked up assists.
Pavel Zacha tips a McAvoy point shot into Montreal’s net just 36 seconds into the game.
1-0 Bruins. pic.twitter.com/M54X8aRDjl
– Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) November 12, 2023
Montreal didn’t let itself be dominated during this period. It allowed only five shots to the visitors.
The hosts had a few chances to score, but nothing more.
Another great scoring chance for this line. Monahan shoots and Gallagher almost grabs the rebound. pic.twitter.com/qJfGpsTI0u
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 12, 2023
Brendan Gallagher was surprisingly the most used forward in the first frame.
At the start of the season, remember that he was often among the least used.
No goals were scored in the second period. Yet the Habs played five-on-three for 25 seconds.
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After 40 minutes of play, Montreal led 17-13 in shots on goal. Despite trailing by a goal at that point, the CH was playing a very good game.
However, the Habs started the third period in lion’s clothing. First, Nick Suzuki scored on the power play.
1, 2, 3… 4 straight games with a goal for the captain!
1, 2, 3… 4 games in a row for Suzy! 🔥#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/a7Ikgb08kQ
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) November 12, 2023
27 seconds later, Brendan Gallagher scored a beautiful goal in his office.
The wind had suddenly changed.
27 seconds later, Brendan Gallagher gives the #Habs a 2-1 lead.
Great work by the veteran in front of Swayman.
Ladies and gentlemen, Gallagher is back. pic.twitter.com/U34Igmivky
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 12, 2023
But Brad Marchand brought everyone back to square one at the end of the game.
No kicking motion, smart play by Marchand. pic.twitter.com/WsBKxovj2S
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 12, 2023
The score remained the same until overtime.
We had to keep an eye on Cole Caufield during this extra period. But it was his teammate Kaiden Guhle who sealed the deal.
He scored his first goal of the season.
Kaiden Guhle takes advantage of a good bounce to give the #Habs a 3-2 win over the Bruins!!! pic.twitter.com/gZfD4RYNIa
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 12, 2023
Final score: 3-2 Canadian. It was the opponents’ third defeat of the season.
The team returns to action tomorrow night. It hosts the Vancouver Canucks.
Extensions
– There were plenty of empty benches in the red section.
– All three Montreal teams (Carabins, Alouettes and Canadien) won their games today. In fact, the Alouettes taunted the Argos.
YAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ @TorontoArgos #Alouettes #GCPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/jdWkCpy3F6
– Montreal Alouettes (@MTLAlouettes) November 12, 2023
– Alex Newhook can never be blamed for his lack of hustle.
Alex Newhook forechecking like his life depends on it.
More of that effort level, please. pic.twitter.com/0HC5kBBCfW
– Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) November 12, 2023
– The players served up some good checking tonight.
🤯 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/lts2bAcF2d
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) November 12, 2023
Marchand gets lit up by Kovacevic pic.twitter.com/b6brMKW64J
– Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) November 12, 2023
A big hit by Xhekaj after a good scoring chance for the Bruins. pic.twitter.com/p8WsDRW0wz
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 12, 2023
– Josh Anderson simply can’t buy a goal this season. He had his chances tonight.
Suzuki sets up Anderson with a great chance. Swayman makes the save. pic.twitter.com/4WztwMpG1o
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 12, 2023