Patrick Roy would have liked to celebrate with his arms raised at the end of Thursday's game, as he so often did in the Canadian uniform.
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But Sean Monahan, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield decided otherwise and led the Habs to a 4-3 win against the Islanders.
The New York team's new head coach received a nice ovation during the national anthem on his return to Montreal, while archival footage of his parades with the CH reminded fans of the last two times their favorites won the Stanley Cup.
Roy seemed touched by the honor and greeted the crowd discreetly, wanting his players to focus on hockey.
However, it was Martin St-Louis' protégés who animated the show in the first phase.
Suzuki, who completed a tic-tac-toe started by Juraj Slafkovsky and Monahan during a power play, Caufield with a nice individual play and Monahan, who was still massive in attack, quickly gave the Canadian a 3-0 lead.
Photo USA TODAY Sports
They beat Semyon Varlamov three times in just eight strokes. Nothing that would please Roy, who has already managed the Russian with the Colorado Avalanche.
The visitors played a much better second half as Bo Horvat beat Samuel Montembeault – author of 43 total saves – with a two-man advantage. Jayden Struble and Jake Evans were found wanting.
A penalty opens the door
Roy's troops then took advantage of a match penalty against Brendan Gallagher in the second half of the third period to violently elbow Adam Pelech in the head.
Mathew Barzal and Kyle Palmieri made Gallagher pay for his indiscipline by being ejected from the game, in addition to offering the Islanders a five-minute power play on a silver platter.
But Monahan saved the furniture with his second goal of the game and his 13th of the season at the end of the game.
CH number 91 finished his evening of work with three points, while Suzuki and Caufield had two each.
Photo USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Roy suffered his second loss in three games since taking charge of the Islanders.
The Canadian will return to action tomorrow in Pittsburgh against the Penguins.
SUMMARY
THIRD PERIOD
8:00 p.m. – End of the meeting.
17:48 – BUT MTL 4-3 Sean Monahan hits a one-timer and beats Semyon Varlamov. His second goal of the game puts Montreal back in the lead. Cole Caufield and Josh Anderson get assists.
16:28 – GOAL NYI 3-3 The Islanders up the ante on the power play. This time Kyle Palmieri scored the goal. His 12th goal of the season allows New York to draw the game.
14:52 – NYI GOAL 3-2 During the power play, Mathew Barzal hit a perfect shot that beat Samuel Montembeault. His 13th goal of the season allows New York to reduce the deficit to just one goal.
11:52 – Brendan Gallagher is ejected from the game for an unpleasant gesture towards Adam Pelech. The Islanders will play on the power play.
06:12 – Anders Lee receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
00:00- Start of period.
SECOND PERIOD
8:00 p.m.- End of period.
1:40 p.m. – Arber Xhekaj receives a penalty. The Islanders will play on the power play.
10:01 – Kyle MacLean gets a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
03:03 – NYI GOAL 3:1 Bo Horvat hits the target in the power play. His 20th goal of the season enabled New York to reduce the deficit to two goals.
02:46 – Jake Evans receives a penalty. The Islanders play five-on-three.
02:04 – Jayden Struble gets a penalty. The Islanders will play on the power play.
00:00 – Start of period.
FIRST PERIOD
8:00 p.m. – End of period.
18:49 – Julien Gauthier receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
14:44 – Arber Xhekaj receives a penalty. The Islanders will play on the power play.
12:19 – BUT MTL 3:0 Sean Monahan scores on the power play. His 12th goal of the season gave Montreal a three-goal lead. Mike Matheson and Samuel Montembeault get assists.
11:36 – BUT MTL 2-0 Cole Caufield makes a great move and scores a spectacular goal. This is his 17th of the season. Nick Suzuki gets an assist.
10:19 – Kyle Palmieri gets a penalty. We play four against four.
09:52 – Rafael Harvey-Pinard receives a penalty. The Islanders will play on the power play.
07:06 – BUT MTL 1:0 On the power play, Nick Suzuki puts the finishing touches to an excellent passing game. His 13th of the season puts Montreal ahead. Juraj Slafkovsky and Sean Monahan are accomplices.
06:18 – Hudson Fasching receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
00:00 – Start of the game. Patrick Roy receives a standing ovation from the audience.
In front of the net
Semyon Varlamov Record: 6-4-2 / Goals against average: 2.78 / Efficiency rate: 91.8%
Samuel Montembeault Record: 10-7-4 / Average goals allowed: 3.11 / Efficiency rate: 90.3%
Training from trainer Martin St-Louis