The Montreal Canadiens failed to score until the final moments of the game and were defeated 2-1 by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Center on Friday night.
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With less than four minutes left in the final period, Josh Anderson shot a one-timer that beat goaltender Keith Petruzzelli. CH benefited from a numerical advantage in the last two minutes of the game, but was unable to capitalize on it. The crowd favorite ended the evening zero for six with one man more on the ice.
The guests scored the first goal in the second third. Matthew Knies took advantage of a mistake by defenseman Justin Barron in his zone and deceived the guard of goalkeeper Cayden Primeau with a good wrist shot.
Before the end of the middle period, Mikko Kokkonen doubled the Maple Leafs’ lead. The Finnish full-back took a shot from the point that deflected off Owen Beck and found its way into the net.
Primeau, who played the entire game, faced a total of 26 shots.
Ilya Samsonov started the game for the Leafs. The Russian blocked all 17 shots aimed at him. Petruzzelli was challenged seven times.
Additionally, the Maple Leafs did not dress their star players Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander. Veterans Anderson, Brendan Gallagher, Joel Armia and Sean Monahan were in uniform for the Habs.
Today’s clash was the first of three in four days between the two teams. They will meet again at the same place on Saturday. They then travel to Toronto, where there will be a duel on Monday evening.