The Canadiens visited the Jets in Winnipeg on Monday night to kick off their seven-game road trip. Jake Allen’s last win came on October 28 against these same Jets. This was his first win in over a month in Winnipeg.
Here’s the line-up for both teams.
Tonight’s lineup
Tonight’s lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/CDBo4lFG2K
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 19, 2023
LET’S GO ๐ซ@PlayNowManitoba | #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/4IQVgpID2w
– Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) December 19, 2023
Let’s face it, the first period was very quiet and went by very quickly. The Jets took six shots on Jake Allen, while the Habs took only four on Connor Hellebuyck.
Ten shots in one period is a pretty low total.
What we can take away from this game is the defensive work of both teams, but especially of young Jayden Struble, who once again stood out for his calm and effective defensive play.
A solid start for Jayden Struble.
Always confident in duels, he rarely loses one.Excellent pass between an opponent’s skates to initiate a zone exit.
– Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) December 19, 2023
After a fairly quiet first period, the score was obviously 0-0.
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Then, in the second period, there were a lot more goals. Three, to be precise.
And who absolutely had to get the ball rolling? Josh Anderson, of course! The Tricolore’s number 17 saw the puck deflect off his leg and into the net. It was his third goal in two games.
Andy again!
He’s sooo back#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/zLVfFESGkD
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 19, 2023
It was then Christian Dvorak’s turn to score for the Canadiens. A superb goal, which was even scored on the powerplay!
Habs powerplay goal. Dvorak scores, but it’s under review for a hand pass by Anderson (I didn’t think you could review that, but anyhow). pic.twitter.com/SsQioBD2I1
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 19, 2023
The goal was reviewed because the Jets thought Josh Anderson had made a pass with his hand to Dvorak. The goal was finally confirmed a few minutes later.
Juraj Slafkovsky also wanted to join the party. Except he used his big frame to score the game-winner. He served up a big check to Brenden Dillon in front of the Habs bench. Check out Johnathan Kovacevic and Jayden Struble’s reaction to the sequence!
Check out Johnny Kovacevic & Jayden Struble’s reaction to this hit by Juraj Slafkovsky ๐ pic.twitter.com/8mEQUxegMZ
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 19, 2023
Except the Jets decided to change the game at the very end of the period. Gabriel Vilardi took advantage of a loose puck to Jake Allen’s right to score his fifth goal of the season.
HEY!!! MACARENA!!! pic.twitter.com/8dUim0w6EV
– Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) December 19, 2023
After 40 minutes, the Canadiens were ahead 2-1.
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The first chance to score in the third period belonged to the Canadiens, when they were short-handed. Nick Suzuki unleashed a wrist shot that deflected off Josh Morrissey’s stick and hit him in the face.
Josh Morrissey returns to the locker room after taking a puck to the face. Hopefully he’s okay. pic.twitter.com/03eAn7tnzs
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 19, 2023
Morrissey got up quickly and retreated to the dressing room to treat the cut on his face.
Winnipeg wanted to avenge the injury to their best defenseman. It was Cole Perfetti who did the job, having been forgotten by the Canadiens to the left of Jake Allen.
10th goal of the season for GOAL PERFETTI ๐ pic.twitter.com/krt8fapxQv
– Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) December 19, 2023
And despite the Jets’ two goals and his recent performances, Jake Allen did an excellent job in the Habs net until the third period.
Not his busiest start, but Jake Allen is quietly having a good game. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/DlK8OgUzfu
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 19, 2023
After three periods, the Canadiens once again needed extra time. With a power play at the start of overtime, Montreal had several good chances to walk away with the win.
In the end, it was Justin Barron who put the final nail in the coffin with an excellent shot from the point. All in front of his brother, Morgan, and his parents in the stands.
JUSTIN TIMEEEE #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/l49uz5AdEp
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 19, 2023
The Tricolore won 3-2, the first victory for Jake Allen since October 28, when he also beat the Jets. Unfortunately for him, it was the last duel between the two teams this season.
The Tricolore will be back in action on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild.
Extension
– Fun fact.
While we’re waiting for the game to start, with 61 goals, Cole Caufield is 1754th in NHL history, tied with Gaston Gingras, Tom Kostopoulos and Gilbert Dionne.
– Guillaume Lefranรงois ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฟ (@glefrancoisLP) December 19, 2023
– Good to see.
Gallagher may be next to snap the goalless drought. He’s had a solid first period.
– Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) December 19, 2023
– Naughty.
Juraj Slafkovsky is now the third most-penalized player on the #Habs this season with 25 minutes, trailing Arber Xhekaj (47) and Josh Anderson (31). #HabsIO
– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) December 19, 2023
– Nice to see.
It’s hard to say, but Josh Anderson is the Habs’ top scorer in December.
– Simon-Olivier Lorange (@SO_Lorange) December 19, 2023
– Nice acquisition by the Jets.
Gabriel Vilardi needs just two assists to match the record of Pierre-Luc Dubois, the player he was traded for this summer.
Vilardi has played 15 fewer games.– Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) December 19, 2023
– A superb plateau for Gallagher.
200 NHL assists. Congratulations, @BGALLY17!
200 ๐s in the NHL. Congrats, Gally! #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/y0DLrceQoD
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 19, 2023