MONTREAL – As a screenplay, Kirby Dach might not have asked for better: in fact, yes! In his post-match comments, he admitted he would have preferred to score a game-winning goal in overtime.
But his decisive goal, the third of three consecutive goals scored by the Canadian in the shootout, not only allowed him to propel his team to a 3-2 snatch winbut above all he allowed him to stifle the boos of the Blackhawks supporters who welcomed him in their own way before the young forward rushed towards the net defended by Arvid Soderblom.
Dach, who appears to be a somewhat shy youngster, and even a couple of strands prone to getting crushed under pressure, celebrated his goal in a nice way by putting his left hand to his ear as if asking Blackhawks fans if they wanted to. It was a lot of boos he had heard. I prefer this type of reaction to the more rebellious one of putting your index finger to your mouth to order rival supporters, or executioners, it depends, to shut up. It seems to me that it’s more snide to act as if we had misunderstood. Let that sting the pride of the executioners even more.
But hey, it’s far from important.
Will this goal allow Dach to come out of his shell? To get more out of it than he has since being installed to the right of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield?
It is to be wished. Because this young player in whom the staff of the Hawks had completely lost confidence, has all the assets to not only become an important cog in the Canadian, but to honor his third selection in the first round of the 2019 draft. behind Jack Hughes (Devils) and Kaapo Kakko (Rangers) and 12 caps ahead of teammate Cole Caufield.
Only time will allow Dach to confirm the validity of this hasty selection. But his overall performance since being moved to the right of the first line shows a lot of confidence in his development.
In the shorter term, Dach will have to pay the few hundred – I would bet a loonie that we can speak of a few thousand – of dollars that he had promised his teammates in exchange for a victory once morest his former team.
For those unfamiliar with this kind of “ransom”, players in the NHL – and it may be like this in other professional sports – often promise such bonuses when they want to win. particular matches. The amount of the ransom is often prominently displayed on the board hung in the center of the locker room. The amount listed also often attracts more attention from the players than the composition of the attacking trios, the defending duos and the identity of the starting goalkeeper, which is also found on the said table.
Perfect in shootouts
The shootout allowed the three members of the first line to score.
It also allowed Samuel Montembeault to sign a second consecutive victory as part of his first streak of two consecutive starts.
Montembeault was very good once more on Friday for his fifth victory. His first in shootout following two wins from Jake Allen earlier this season.
Does Montembeault deserve to play more? The debate is futile. The Canadiens have two goaltenders who can’t claim to be number ones. In these circumstances, the coach has a good game to go with the one who seems most able to boost his chances of victory.
Right now, it’s Montembeault. Might as well enjoy it!
The Canadian is therefore perfect so far in the shootout this season. As were the three attackers sent by Martin St-Louis Friday in Chicago.
Cole Caufield – two goals from three attempts so far this season – was the first to score.
Nick Suzuki – third goal scored in three shootouts without forgetting his goal scored in a penalty shot on October 20, at the Bell Center, once morest the Arizona Coyotes – once once more mystified the opposing goaltender by gently lobbing the puck above his mitten.
Dach, who got his first shootout opportunity since arriving in Montreal, did not miss his shot.
Those three goals gave the first line members more of an edge than they had in the 65 minutes of the game. True that Suzuki scored in the game, he even put on his 12e goal of the season, but it was in massive attack that he did it.
At even strength, in Chicago on Friday, as was also the case on Wednesday in Columbus, it was more difficult for the first line.
And that’s normal!
Not only Martin St-Louis can’t help them by taking advantage of the last change, but the other lines don’t often take over. This allows opposing clubs to focus more on them.
Monahan useful on several fronts
In Chicago on Friday, the top line had some help. It came from Sean Monahan and his linemates Josh Anderson and Joel Armia who all put on a strong game.
Monahan had assists on both of his team’s goals. He is down to five goals and 14 points in 21 games. He might have added others as he offered beautiful and good scoring opportunities to his work partners.
But beyond those points, he plays solid hockey defensively. In addition, he allowed the Canadian to save face in face-off circles on Friday. Monahan has won 10 of the 14 faceoffs he has played. It is enormous. Especially since his teammates together won only 12 more…
By playing the way he does, Monahan gives Kent Hughes full reason for taking advantage of Carey Price’s presence on the long-term injured list to agree to help the Calgary Flames who were looking to get rid of his overly generous contract.
Monahan is on a salary of $6 million this year. His contract takes up $6.375 million on payroll.
Because the Canadiens might easily keep a portion, maybe even the NHL maximum of 50% — of that salary, because Monahan will attract the attention of multiple teams if he continues to play this way from here. the trade deadline, Monahan might allow the Habs to get very good value for his services.
The idea of keeping him in Montreal to supervise young people also deserves consideration. But for now, Sean Monahan is helping his new team tremendously.
Because in fact, his convincing performances in the center allowed Martin St-Louis and the staff to transfer Kirby Dach to the wing.
With all the positive consequences that this has brought.
Swap Monahan? Keep it? The answer will impose itself according to the offers that will be presented to the Canadian, also according to the salary demands that will be presented by the veteran center player for his next contract.
It’s weekend off for the Habs.
Players will need it. Because on Friday evening, instead of flying to Montreal as soon as the victory was celebrated, their hair dried and their equipment put away, the players of Martin St-Louis took advantage of the embarrassment of choice in terms of very good restaurants in Chicago to hold rookie dinner.
A dinner during which no one is deprived, during which some teammates even sometimes exaggerate in terms of very good wine and at the end of which the recruits separate the bill.
A bill always much saltier than the main course…
All things considered, victory will not have cost Kirby Dach dearly!
