2023-12-11 03:18:56
Before the visit to Montreal, Juuse Saros had only played five of his 307 NHL games against the Canadiens. The little Finnish goalkeeper must have known Brendan Gallagher mainly by reputation.
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Saros can now testify that Gallagher remains a reckless and combative winger. In this 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators, Gallagher took a step back in time.
He offered the type of performance that made him one of the NHL’s bad guys for several seasons. Number 11 spent his evening in the Saros circle, always remaining at the heart of the action with 10 shots and 15 attempted shots. When he didn’t land a shot towards number 74, he didn’t hesitate to rush towards him.
With ten shots, Gallagher set a career high. He had four nine-shot games, the last game dating back to March 23, 2019.
“Oh, I actually finished the game with ten shots,” Gallagher replied. I always make the same joke with Suzie (Suzuki) that the puck must end up going in every ten shots. I did not do it. But it was an enjoyable match to play. »
“Brendan never stopped,” added defender David Savard. This is why he had such a great career. He continues to play the same way despite minor injuries. He showed once again that he wants to win. We followed him for the second portion of the match. We started to dominate in the offensive zone and he was at the heart of that. »
A disallowed goal
At the end of the second period, Gallagher revived his teammates during a goal denied to Joel Armia. Jake Brenk and Chris Schlenker, the two referees of the match, did not have to procrastinate for too long. They immediately indicated that there was no goal as Gallagher had pushed Saros’ pad.
To borrow an expression from Martin St-Louis, Gallagher’s playing was not “Picasso”, but the message remained more important. He reminded his teammates that this meeting was still not over.
Shortly after this sequence, Jake Evans beat Saros with a precise backhand shot. The CH could start believing in it again. But ultimately there was no comeback in the third period.
By hitting the target late in the second, Evans put the brakes on a 26-game black streak. He scored CH’s very first goal of the season in the opening game against the Maple Leafs in Toronto.
Allen not the fault
Jake Allen blocked 29 of the visitors’ 31 shots. Only Colton Sissons found a way to beat him by scoring both goals for his team.
Strictly in terms of statistics, Allen lost a seventh game in a row (0-6-1). The goaltender from New Brunswick, however, has nothing to blame himself. He had a good outing.
In the third period, he made two key saves against Cole Smith who had managed to escape shorthanded after a scramble between Sean Monahan and Mike Matheson.
Allen gave up two goals or less in a start for the first time since October 23 (3-1 victory against the Sabers in Buffalo).
The return of Savard
Recovered from his broken left hand, Savard regained his place on the blue line against the Predators. He played a little more than 20 minutes with Matheson.
Photo Martin Chevalier
“I felt good,” he replied. When you get back together with Mike, your life is easier. I played with him quite often, so I could find my bearings more easily. »
After the game, the CH confirmed that winger Tanner Pearson will be absent for a period of four to six weeks due to an upper body injury. He blocked a JJ Peterka shot with his hand in the first period Saturday in Buffalo.
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