St. Louis Demands More from Players; Choosing Edmonton’s Goalie?
After a disheartening collapse against the New York Rangers, head coach Martin St-Louis expressed his frustrations. The Montreal Canadiens squandered a 3-0 lead, ultimately losing 5-4 in overtime. St-Louis analyzed the match, noting the shift in momentum. “Every time you take a 3-0 lead, you have to win the game,” he remarked.
Game Highlights
Initially, the Canadiens dominated the first period, controlling play and building their lead. However, a late penalty by Lane Hutson allowed the Rangers to capitalize, with Noah Laba scoring first for the visitors. Shortly after, Artemi Panarin converted a penalty shot, closing the gap to 3-2 before the first intermission.
Turning Points
- Montreal opened a 3-0 lead in the first period.
- New York capitalized on penalties to tie the game.
- Panarin scored on a penalty shot, giving the Rangers momentum.
Midway through the second period, the Canadiens regained a two-goal advantage. Unfortunately, they allowed the Rangers to score twice in just 36 seconds, leading to a tie. St-Louis pointed out the need for the team to maintain urgency and learn from their past mistakes. “We should have learned from these situations over the years,” he emphasized.
Upcoming Challenge Against Edmonton Oilers
The Canadiens will have a quick turnaround, facing Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers at the Bell Centre. The game is scheduled for 7 PM (RDS). The question on everyone’s mind is who will be in goal for Montreal, as Jacob Fowler has started the last two matches. St-Louis has yet to announce his decision.
Goalie Situation
- Jacob Fowler has started in the last two games.
- Samuel Montembeault last played on December 2 against Ottawa.
- Jakub Dobes had recent outings against St. Louis and Tampa Bay.
St-Louis’s contemplation on the goalie situation indicates the team’s need to strategize effectively to secure a win against Edmonton. With the team’s recent struggles, every game is crucial moving forward.
