In overtime, the Montreal Canadiens snapped their two-game losing streak by beating the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The visiting Pittsburgh Penguins got the first scoring chance of the game as they managed to get a quick shot on Samuel Montembault, who was making a start due to Jake Allen being out due to parental leave.
A minute later, Danton Heinen beat Montembault top shelf blocker side to give the Penguins the early 1-0 lead. Martin St Louis decided to challenge the goal because the puck never crossed the line, and after a review, the goal was reversed.
Jake Evans had Montreal’s first shot on goal five minutes into the game, but Casey DeSmith easily saved it for his first save of the game. Four minutes later, Cole Caufield stole the puck and fired a quick shot on net but was denied by DeSmith.
The Habs continued to pepper DeSmith with shots but couldn’t beat the Pittsburgh netminder as they were outshooting them 9-2 at this point.
Caufield was at it again minutes later as he skated it alone, but his wrist shot was saved by DeSmith, who was almost like a wall in the net. With less than two minutes to go in the first period, Brendan Gallagher had a great chance but couldn’t beat DeSmith.
The first period finished 0-0, with neither team able to score as both teams went into the locker room after 20 minutes.
Gallagher had another solid chance less than two minutes into the second period, but his shot went off the post and stayed out. Four minutes into the period Evgeni Malkin opened the scoring as he fired a one-timer from the top of the circle and beat Montembault for the 1-0 lead.
Montreal’s woes continued as they were given the first penalty of the game as Kirby Dach was called for hooking, giving the visitors the first powerplay of the game. Nick Suzuki had a chance a minute later on the penalty kill but couldn’t beat DeSmith.
The Penguins doubled their lead a couple of minutes later as Malkin scored his second of the game when he got a quick pass and beat Montembault in close. The Canadiens pushed to get back in the game, including crashing the net but failed to score once again.
Gallagher had another great opportunity with six minutes to go in the second period but was robbed with the glove of DeSmith, who was on his game tonight. Up to this point, he had made 23 saves to keep his shutout alive.
With 3:06 left in the second period, the Canadiens were penalized again as Arber Xhekaj was sent to the box for interference. With one minute left in the second period, Montreal got their first powerplay of the game after Jeff Petry was called for tripping for taking down Nick Suzuki.
The Canadiens began the third period on the man advantage looking to get within one with 20 minutes to go in the game. Less than two minutes into the period, Suzuki scored with a powerful wrist shot to make it 2-1 as he finally beat DeSmith five-hole.
With less than 10 minutes to go in the game, Xhekaj was penalized again, this time for high sticking giving the visitors a chance to regain their two-goal lead. Less than two minutes later, Petry was called again for interference.
The game was played four on four for 17 seconds before Montreal returned to the man advantage, looking for the equalizer. Ex Hab Ryan Poehling almost scored on the penalty kill on the ensuing play splitting the defense but couldn’t beat Montembault.
The Habs pushed but again failed to get the puck past DeSmith, and with 2:26 remaining St Louis called a timeout and pulled Montembault. Seconds later, Montreal tied the game as Cole Caufield’s goal streak remained alive as he sniped a puck into the net with a cross-ice pass from Jonathan Drouin.
With the game tied after 60 minutes, the game went into overtime as the Canadiens looked to get their second win of the season.
Three-on-three overtime was fast and furious from both ends, and less than two minutes into the extra frame, Petry got called again for cross-checking, and Montreal went on a 4-on-3 powerplay. Kirby Dach beat DeSmith moments later as he put in a great feed from Sean Monahan to seal the win.
The Canadiens will be back in action on Thursday night as they will host the Arizona Coyotes at the Bell Centre.
