Hidden Game: Laine and Suzuki lead OT win against Islanders

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This version of the Hidden Recreation is devoted to the hidden first interval between the Canadiens and New York Islanders. The 2 groups mixed for 12 pictures — seven from Montreal — and no targets Tuesday evening. At instances it appeared as if the blind have been main the blind.

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Sartorial splendor: There was no denying Patrick Roy‘s brilliance as a goaltender. Three Vézina Trophies, 5 Jennings, 4 Stanley Cups between the Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche and a three-time winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy, an NHL report. Roy seemingly saved his greatest for post-season play, when cash gamers come to play. His 151 playoff wins stay the league chief, whereas his 551 regular-season victories place him third general amongst netminders.

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However overlook about all that for a second. Roy was dressed brilliantly on this evening, adorned in an identical black blazer, shirt and tie. He simply may have been solid as an additional in Goodfellas — nonetheless one of many best films of all time in our humble opinion.

How do you want him to this point?: This evening, after all, belonged to Patrik Laine, making his Canadiens regular-season debut following what gave the impression to be a devastating knee harm sustained throughout an exhibition sport in opposition to Toronto. Acquired in an August commerce from Columbus, Laine obtained a rousing ovation when he was introduced as a part of the beginning lineup.

And, after opening the scoring with a power-play aim at 7:23 of the second interval, the love affair between Laine and the Bell Centre spectators will solely proceed to develop — at the very least till, or if, he goes 5 video games with out a level. Nonetheless, scoring in his Montreal debut will solely add to the Finnish native’s confidence. His shot launch is fast and easy, and he’s the epitome of a goal-scorer. He was named the sport’s first star.

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Information you want (Half I): Laine was taking part in his first regular-season sport in 354 days. In his final sport, Dec. 14, 2023 with Columbus, he scored in opposition to Toronto. That makes him among the many hottest Canadiens, now that he’s on a two-game aim streak. And with 57 video games remaining, and offered he stays wholesome, Laine is on tempo for a team-leading 58 targets.

Information you want (Half II): Laine turns into the 76th participant in Canadiens NHL historical past to attain in his crew debut.

Information you want (Half III): Laine has now scored as many targets at Kirby Dach. And he’s one aim behind Juraj Slafkovsky.

One other Cy Younger candidate: Alex Newhook’s stats line reads 5-0 — the distinction between targets and assists. What you may not understand? There are 12 NHL goalies which have at the very least one help this season. Calgary netminder Dustin Wolf leads, with two.

Dumb penalty: Within the sport’s second minute, Maxim Tsyplakov tripped Lane Hutson within the offensive zone. To not fear, although. The Canadiens registered just one shot on the following energy play.

We’re noticing a development right here: Sunday afternoon in Boston, Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson would have opened the scoring however hit the submit halfway by means of the primary interval. Guess what? Within the ninth minute in opposition to the Islanders, he beat Ilya Sorokin however couldn’t beat the submit. Matheson has scored twice this season.

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Takes a licking however retains on ticking: Brendan Gallagher collided with defenceman Alexander Romanov within the opening interval. Gallagher, all of 5-foot-9 and 185 kilos, went closely into the tip boards however, as typical, shook it off. Romanov, by the best way, is 6-foot-1 and 220.

Shift of the evening: Within the 14th minute of the interval Josh Anderson, who often involves play — particularly currently — knocked down Anders Lee earlier than establishing Kaiden Guhle on a breakaway. The defenceman failed to attain.

The place’s the blood while you want it?: Hudson Fasching escaped with a minor penalty within the second interval after high-sticking Cole Caufield to the mouth.

Good penalty: Arber Xhekaj tripped Brock Nelson on the New York blue line within the second interval or the Islanders centre may need had a breakaway.

How do you want him now?: For all those that criticize Samuel Montembeault, he robbed Nelson in alone, made a pad save on Grant Hutton earlier than making a spectacular stick cease on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s rebound, all inside a minute or so late within the second interval.

Nice moments in officiating: Within the remaining minute of regulation time we went from a double high-sticking minor to Tsyplakov, in opposition to Guhle, to no penalty in any respect after a video replay decided it was Matheson’s stick that caught Guhle’s mouth.

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Subsequent time, decline the penalty: The Islanders went 0-for-3 on the facility play.

Eight-ball within the nook pocket: Nick Suzuki scored the time beyond regulation winner, changing a rebound off Bo Horvat. Suzuki, by the best way, has been identified to play a little bit pool on the aspect.

Fast stats: Xhekaj lead all gamers with 5 pictures. Jayden Struble blocked 4 pictures. Slafkovsky had six hits. With 31 pictures directed at him, Montembeault’s save share was .968.

He stated it: “I felt terrible just about the entire sport,” Laine quipped. “A bit of rusty, clearly. Hopefully I’ll get higher. I simply closed my eyes and hopefully hit the web. It was shut and I virtually missed, but it surely was a adequate shot that it went in.

“That was essentially the most outrageous factor I’ve ever heard in my whole life,” he added of the quite a few ovations he was accorded. “I don’t deserve this, under no circumstances. It’ll be one thing for positive I’ll bear in mind perpetually. That was the best factor I’ve ever seen. Simply getting that welcome, even early on once I got here right here, from the followers and metropolis general, and coming again to play, it was fairly humbling. I’m simply grateful and grateful to be right here.”

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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