Knowing that the Canadiens and Leafs would have tougher lineups on Monday night, I sat down in front of my television to watch the game. I was curious to see how the members of the Habs’ regular squad would behave.
Before Martin Saint-Louis’ team got within a goal of the Leafs in the final seconds of the second period, some performances left a lot to be desired. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield in particular were invisible. Kirby Dach and Sean Monahan were far superior to them.
Overall, the Canadian was blown away by the Leafs’ speed of execution. It quickly turned to Jake Allen. Even though he had conceded three goals so far, including a gift to Noah Gregor, the veteran had still limited the damage.
The Leafs could have returned to the locker room with a relatively comfortable lead after 40 minutes of play. When they regained a two-goal lead in the 12th minute of the third period, we thought the Canadian was done with the carrot, but no.
The Habs pressed the mushroom. The Leafs no longer knew where to turn.
Nick Suzuki and Cole can change the course of a game in important moments. Photo Martin Chevalier
Can change a game
Back then we saw what very talented players can achieve in important moments. Suzuki and Caufield started playing as best they could and bingo! In overtime, Caufield hit the high bar with a typical wrist shot and on the rebound, Suzuki just had to push the puck into the net.
These two, we cannot say it enough, are capable of moving mountains together. If the Canadian can one day find a starter on the right wing, we could see one of the best trios in the National League. It’s not that Josh Anderson is doing a bad job alongside her. Anderson is built for heavy use, but it doesn’t have the same quotient as the other two. It lacks finish.
It would be tempting to use Kirby Dach alongside the Suzuki-Caufield duo, as was the case at times last season. But Dach is too good and too useful in the middle to send him to the right wing. He played a full game on Monday night. His goal at the end of the second period came when the team was numerically inferior. And he was involved in Anderson’s goal that tied the game at 4-4 in the final minute of the third period.
Well, he was less effective in the faceoff circle (30%), but he can’t be perfect all the time.
Sean Monahan also delivered an excellent performance. He contributed to Mattias Norlinder’s goal, the power play and Dach’s goal. His wingers Brendan Gallagher and Tanner Pearson had a difficult evening and didn’t get any shots on goal.
What fate awaits Mailloux?
On the rookie side, Logan Mailloux had the puck taken away four times, but he escaped unscathed.
Will he start the season with the big club or with the Laval Rocket?
His fate could be related to the health of some defenders, but staying in the American League seems advisable in his case.
Speaking of injuries, Jordan Harris was in trouble all night. But like Josh Gorges over time, he bounced like rubber.
The camp continues with a final preseason game on Saturday evening in Ottawa. If the Senators hit like they did during their visit to the Bell Center last week, it could hurt.