The Canadian passed the test on Saturday evening at the Bell Centre.
Kirby Dach and Jake Evans each had a goal and an assist, Alex Newhook broke the tie for good late in the second period and the Montreal hockey club beat the St. Louis Blues 5-2.
The Habs’ defensive zone play had been scrutinized all week long. While not perfect, the Canadiens’ players at least earned a passing grade against the Blues.
In particular, they applied a little more pressure on the opponent, which allowed them to spend more time in the offensive zone.
Cole Caufield and Joel Armia, into an empty net, also scored for the Canadiens (3-4-1), who had lost their previous four games (0-3-1) by a combined score of 9-21. Mike Matheson and Nick Suzuki each had two assists, while Samuel Montembeault stopped 29 shots.
Colton Parayko and Jake Neighbours replied for the Blues (5-4-0). Jordan Binnington made 21 saves.
Defenseman Arber Xhekaj returned to the Canadiens’ lineup in relief of Justin Barron, who is struggling with an upper-body injury.
However, forward Josh Anderson left the game midway through the third period and did not return to the game.
The Canadiens will play again on Sunday night, when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers. Cayden Primeau is expected to get the start in goal for the Habs.
A better effort
Oliver Kapanen generated the first scoring opportunity with a nice run, but Binnington closed the door.
The Blues threatened on the power play. Montembeault, however, frustrated Neighbours at the end of a nice rally by the visitors.
The Canadiens opened the scoring 8:34 into the game. Joel Armia made a superb long pass to Evans, who was able to set up a two-on-one attack with Michael Pezzetta, who was coming off the penalty box. Evans opted for a shot and found the opening in the top corner on Binnington’s shield side.
Dach extended the lead 1:12 into the second period. He took advantage of a rebound to shoot into an open net for his first goal since March 23, 2023.
The Blues responded just 21 seconds later, however. Parayko took advantage of a scrum around Montembeault to push a loose puck into the net.
The game opened up in the minutes that followed, but it was the Blues who took advantage again. Neighbours was left behind in the slot and tied the game 2-2 at 4:02 following a pass from Brandon Saad.
Dach missed a great opportunity to give the Canadiens an early lead when he was unable to deflect a Suzuki pass into an open net.
Binnington then made a fine save from Evans, stretching to his right to close down the opening at the last moment.
The Habs finally took the lead again with 5:56 left in the second period. Newhook scored on the power play, finishing off a nice passing play started by Matheson and Dach.
Caufield then gave his team another two-goal cushion 5:19 into the third period. He took advantage of plenty of space entering the zone, then beat Binnington with a quick shot on the shield side.
The Blues threatened late in the game, but Montembeault held the fort for the Canadiens. He also got lucky when Brayden Schenn hit the post to his right after Binnington was replaced by an extra attacker.
Armia scored into an empty net with 3:11 left on the clock.
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