The Montreal Canadiens put up a stiff resistance against the Ottawa Senators…at least until the third half. The Habs lost 5 to 2 at the Bell Center on Saturday.
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It was tied 2-2 after 40 minutes, before DJ Smith’s men let go of their claw. Austin Watson and Drake Batherson hit the target in just 47 seconds, then Quebec’s Julien Gauthier threaded the needle for the first time with the “Sens”.
Gatineau’s Derick Brassard opened the scoring in the first half by deflecting a shot from Nick Holden’s point. Shane Pinto also flashed the red light, spotted by a precise relay by Alex DeBrincat.
Nick Suzuki put CH in the lead in the second third with a great escape maneuver. At the same time, the captain of the Habs reached the plateau of 20 goals for the second time in a row.
Mike Matheson also shook the ropes for the CH.
Samuel Montembeault allowed five goals in just 22 shots in the loss.
The Canadian will travel to California on Tuesday to face off against the San Jose Sharks.