The theory that the Canadian systematically plays well against good teams suffered a setback with the Bruins. On Saturday night, the Habs were humiliated 9-4 in the middle of the TD Garden in Boston.
• Also read: Samuel Montembeault is leaving CH in Boston
• Also read: WATCH: A fifth goal in five games for Caufield
• Also read: Patrick Roy with the Islanders: “It’s a scary attitude”
Humiliated is not a weak word. As their favorites defeated their long-time rivals, Bruins fans began chanting the famous “Olé!” as a sign of mockery. Ole! Olé” is so close to the hearts of Canadians. We even waved for several seconds. Another custom especially for hockey fans in Montreal.
Getty Images via AFP
Ashamed of his troops' behavior, Martin St-Louis appealed to their pride as TD Garden staff busied themselves collecting the dozens of caps scattered across the rink.
Danton Heinen had just scored the first hat trick of his career.
“Show damn pride,” we could read on the coach’s lips as he pondered his anger.
St-Louis was right to be angry. His teammates then visibly threw in the towel.
Samuel Montembeault, making his seventh start in the last 10 games, was shown the way to the shower after allowing eight goals on 30 shots. At that time we were about halfway through the third mission. But the Quebecer is not the only red-shirted player responsible for this setback.
The Maginot Line
In the morning, St-Louis defended his team's defensive play by stressing that he was happy with the way they performed on their territory. However, it seems that his men did everything they could to make him look bad. Six of the Bruins' nine goals came from shots near the Montreal net. Another came from the top of the enclave.
And not to mention the occasions when Montembeault had the final say. Because he saved his teammates a few times in the first two periods of the game. In short, the Enclave was as well protected… as the Maginot Line.
On certain goals, we were mesmerized by the puck carrier and forgot that an opponent was in our blind spot. On other occasions, Canadiens players lost their coverage because they simply stopped skating. This was the case with Jordan Harris on Brandon Carlo's goal and Nick Suzuki on Charlie Coyle's goal.
Speaking of the captain, he received another penalty in the attacking area. A penalty for his laziness that allowed Heinen to take advantage of the massive attack moments later and complete his hat-trick.
Incidentally, the Habs had just conceded their 15th goal in two games.
A little positive
The score doesn't indicate this, but the Canadian was in the game for 40 minutes. And strangely, thanks to his massive attack, the Habs took advantage of two of their three numerical superiorities. It was only the fifth time this season that the rushing offense had a double. Against the best penalty unit at home, no less. It's worth pointing out.
In that loss, Cole Caufield became the youngest Canadian player since Steve Shutt (1974-1975) to pull the strings for a fifth straight game. Sean Monahan had three assists (good for his value) and Joshua Roy scored the second point of his career.
You can't blame me for only seeing the negative. But there is still a lot to do.