Montreal Snaps Toronto's Streak

 

Last night after all the buzz and excitement surrounding the trade deadline the Maple Leafs were in Montreal to face the Habs. Going into this matchup the Leafs were 9-0-1 in their last 10 games and Montreal were on a 3-game losing streak that saw goalie Jake Allen give up 11 goals. Allen would be starting in goal for Montreal and the Leafs would go with Jack Campbell who would be looking for his 12^th straight win. Unfortunately, right from the start of the game you could tell the Leafs were off and this game would be a challenge. Just one minute into the action the Leafs would find themselves trailing as Montreal would force a turnover and Philip Danault would assist Tomas Tatar with his 9^th goal of the season. Toronto would find themselves shorthanded as Zach Bogosian would serve two minutes for high sticking. Toronto’s penalty killing has been reliable for the team throughout the year, but this time Montreal would double their lead as Nick Suzuki would light the lamp with his 8^th of the season and thanks to the power play goal Toronto would head to the dressing room hoping to put a period where they only managed three shots behind them.

 

The second period would be a little better and fans watching at home would have reason to cheer when just before the 10-minuet mark after Morgan Reilly managed to keep the puck in the Montreal zone, he would send the puck to Mitch Marner and what should now come as no surprise but he and Matthews would team up as Auston would deflect Marner’s pass into the Canadiens goal for his 32^nd goal to cut Montreal’s lead in half. With the Leafs on the board their play would continue to improve. Montreal would win an important faceoff in their end but after two fail clearing attempts thanks to great play of TJ Brodie Zach Hyman after receiving a pass from Brodie would drive to the front of the goal with the hopes of leveling the score would have his attempt turned aside this would lead to a scramble in front of the Montreal goal and Captain John Tavares would backhand a lose puck over the glove hand of Jake Allen and Toronto would find themselves level in a game where they clearly didn’t bring their best effort. So, as the game is tied Toronto would be pressing for the go ahead goal a goal that would likely give the Toronto Maple Leafs complete momentum in the game. Late in the period however Montreal would grab the lead once again as with Toronto applying pressure TJ Brodie would step up only to see his shot blocked leading to a 2 on 1 breakaway and Josh Anderson would fire the puck over the blocker side of Jack Campbell with Jack to deep in his net giving Montreal the 3-2 lead thanks to Anderson’s 15^th goal of the season. After 40 minutes Toronto would once again head to the intermission trailing.

 

In the third and final period Montreal would continue their strong positive play, but Jack Campbell would keep his Leafs within reach would big saves one save would be on another Josh Anderson chance that looked to be a sure goal, but Campbell would dive across and his glove would get just enough of the shot to keep the Leafs within a goal. Toronto would see their time begin to run out and they would be looking to level the game with the goalie on the bench. Toronto would pull Campbell with around two and a half minutes remaining the problem is Toronto never gained possession and Montreal would make their way down the ice and the clinching goal would be scored into the empty net by Tomas Tatar for his 10^th on the year second on the night. The final horn would sound, and Montreal would skate away with the 4-2-win snapping Toronto’s 6 game winning streak and ending a 3-game losing streak of their own also giving Jack Campbell his first loss of the season after a record-breaking run.

Toronto will have a quick turnaround as they fly back to Toronto and host the visiting Calgary Flames tonight and I want to mention that Sportsnet’s Eric Francis reported this morning he reached out to Dave Rittich for a comment after landing in Toronto yesterday but Rittich simply answered “I will talk to you Wednesday tomorrow is game day”. So, it is safe to say Big Save Dave will be getting the start in goal for tonight’s matchup.