This version of the Hidden Sport is devoted to beleaguered goaltender Samuel Montembeault.
By now, you’ve undoubtedly heard the veteran, with a 3.65 goals-against common and .857 save proportion, has been loaned to AHL Laval on a conditioning stint — one which required his settlement and didn’t require waivers — that may last as long as 14 days. It is smart, since Montembeault hasn’t performed since Dec. 2. He may use the work and must regain his confidence. Based on head coach Martin St. Louis, the plan is to have Montembeault rejoin the crew Sunday, in Pittsburgh.
However don’t really feel sorry for Montembeault. Not solely does he proceed receiving his base wage of US$3 million, he wasn’t compelled to
take the bus Tuesday morning to Cleveland
— a 10-hour journey from Laval — together with his Rocket teammates. He participated within the Canadiens’ morning skate on the Bell Centre and the crew didn’t make the announcement till late afternoon.
Laval is getting ready for video games towards the Monsters Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon. We’re going to imagine Montembeault will fly on to Pittsburgh from Cleveland.
Nice moments in scheduling:
Philadelphia, which defeated the Canadiens 4-1 Tuesday evening, is within the midst of taking part in 9 of the following 10 video games on the highway.
These are the video games groups should win:
The Flyers got here into Montreal on the heels of three consecutive losses, all by one purpose and all in both additional time or a shootout. It additionally was their fourth recreation in six nights. If the Canadiens miss the playoffs, they may look again on this evening and the 2 factors they squandered.
Welcome again:
Philadelphia defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen made his return to the lineup after having surgical procedure to restore a ruptured proper triceps tendon. This was his first recreation since March 11. The 6-foot-4, 208 pounder can be a welcome addition to any crew.
In the event you didn’t know him earlier than, you understand him now:
Dan Vladar was going nowhere quick taking part in for the Calgary Flames and backing up Dustin Wolf. So he signed a two-year, $US6.7-million contract with Philadelphia final July 1. A man who by no means has performed greater than 30 video games in a season and had a save proportion above .900 solely as soon as in his profession, is proving to be the second coming of the late Bernie Mother or father. He stopped 21 Canadiens pictures for a save proportion of .955.
Suicide cross:
9 minutes into the sport,
Adam Engstrom
delivered one to Juraj Slafkovsky, who was hammered by Ristolainen.
Nice moments in officiating:
Ivan Demidov
got here to Slafkovsky’s defence, delivering a lightweight cross-check to Ristolainen, who crumbled to the ice as if he had been shot. The ploy labored. Demidov was penalized.
Information you want (Half I):
The Canadiens produced three pictures earlier than 90 seconds had been performed — however didn’t generate their fourth shot till 15:51.
Giveaway of the evening (Half I):
Former Canadien Christian Dvorak turned the puck over to Josh Anderson within the first interval. Seconds later,
Alexandre Texier
opened the scoring. It was his third purpose in 4 video games.
Momentum … schmomentum:
Solely 39 seconds later, Carl Grundstrom tied the sport.
Nice moments in teaching:
Grundstrom had been taking part in on Philadelphia’s fourth line. Head coach Rick Tocchet moved him to the second line, with captain Sean Couturier and Owen Tippett. It instantly paid dividends.
Giveaway of the evening (Half II):
Demidov misplaced the puck within the second interval, making a two-on-one break and a purpose by Trevor Zegras.
Commerce of the century:
Did it actually value the Flyers solely Ryan Poehling, a former Canadiens first-round draft selection, and two draft picks to safe Zegras in a commerce from Anaheim final June? Zegras now has a team-leading 14 targets and 33 factors in 32 video games. Philadelphia basic supervisor Daniel Brière must be arrested for freeway theft.
A brand new candidate for Misplays of the Month:
Canadiens rookie goalie
Jacob Fowler
had a mind cramp late within the second interval. He held onto the puck behind his internet mainly without end, then misplaced it to Matvei Michkov. He handed it to Bobby Brink, who scored into the empty internet.
Our cheap-shot of the evening:
Shouldn’t a man named Bobby Brink be performing within the lounge of a Las Vegas resort? Or at the very least opening for Wayne Newton?
Information you want (Half II):
The Canadiens have now been outscored 46-34 within the second interval.
Have a look at the intense aspect:
Whereas the unpredictable Canadiens at the moment are 8-9-1 on house ice, the New York Rangers have been shut out six instances this season at Madison Sq. Backyard. The newest? 3-0 to Vancouver Tuesday evening.
It takes two to tango:
Anderson checked Nick Seeler to the ice within the third interval and appeared prepared to battle. However Seeler, figuring out his crew was comfortably forward, refused the invitation.
Subsequent time, decline the penalty:
The Flyers went 0-for-3 on the ability play and at the moment are 0-for-10 of their final 4 video games.
Fast stats:
Brendan Gallagher, Cole Caufield, Zachary Bolduc, Texier and Lane Hutson all had three pictures. Anderson had 5 hits. Noah Dobson blocked 5 pictures. Hutson performed 27:06. Fowler’s save proportion was .850. The Canadiens received solely 32.8 per cent of their faceoffs and have been outhit 23-21.
It’s a crowded leaderboard:
Oliver Kapanen was minus-3, however Slafkovsky, Demidov, Hutson and Alexandre Service are sizzling on his path, all at minus-2.
They stated it:
“Clearly I haven’t given up a lot of these in my profession,” Fowler stated of the third purpose. “Hopefully that’s the final one. Study from it. In the end I’ve simply obtained to make a play there. It’s my accountability to not flip it over. I didn’t do my job.”
“I believed we had a fairly good first interval,” Nick Suzuki stated. “I believed we created some possibilities however simply didn’t rating. They capitalized on a few of their fortunate breaks. We may have simply been within the lead. That was a type of video games the place we weren’t producing a ton. And once we did, we weren’t in a position to capitalize. It may have gone both solution to be trustworthy.”
“It’s irritating,” Hutson stated. “I don’t assume it was a horrible evening by any means. It occurs. We’ve obtained to try to stack a pair wins right here.”
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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