Habs Wake Up In Time to Beat Pens Again
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The Habs looked outmatched to start the game but displayed resilience and effort in fighting their way to a 4-3 shootout win over the Penguins on Saturday night.
The Habs looked outmatched to start the game but displayed resilience and effort in fighting their way to a 4-3 shootout win over the Penguins on Saturday night.
Despite controlling the puck for most of the game, the Habs clearly lacked the experience to handle the pressure of the home opener on Thursday night as they fell 3-0 to Los Angeles.
Saturday night’s last preseason game was a hard 3-0 loss to the Sens which had to be a reality check for many. After such a strong camp, many players were fighting their jobs on this night but they collectively laid an egg.
Despite the 5-3 losing outcome to Toronto on Wednesday night, there were many positive signs for the Habs who now just have one game before having to finalize their roster.
As the Habs had their way with a very young Leafs squad, the 5-1 win allowed for players such as Kotkaniemi, Ouellet, and Chaput to show again that they belong with the big boys in Montreal.
With a top line of Tatar-Danault-Gallagher that is firing on all cylinders, the Habs youthful roster never gave up and finally grabbed the lead in the opening minute of the third to take away their third victory in four preseason games by beating Ottawa 3-2.
Despite playing a half roster against an almost complete Panthers team on Wednesday night, the Habs showed some great moments in what wound up as a 5-2 loss.
As is often the case with players acquired in at the top of the draft, Jesperi Kotkaniemi should be playing in Montreal this upcoming season. From a development standpoint and where the team is pegged to be in the standings, it’s the right move to make.
Despite the potential distractions heading into the 2018-19 season, Max Pacioretty should be able to get back to the top goal-scoring form that he has provided for the Habs for several years.
As more and more fans start to focus on the draft, Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s name is continually associated with the Canadiens as he may represent the long-awaited top-line centre the Habs have desired for over two decades.