The Canadiens wanted to start the New Year on the right foot.
On Day 2 of 2024, it faced the Stars in Dallas.
Here’s Martin St-Louis’ line-up:
Tonight’s lineup
Tonight’s lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/6UHbGaWCZs
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 3, 2024
And the home team’s:
Tonight’s Starters! @VW | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/7bzCbEB5ha
– Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) January 3, 2024
The Canadian national anthem was sung in French.
Well done by the Stars.
merci pour l’hymne en français @DallasStars#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/7aUJujVH87
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 3, 2024
And in this morning’s X publication, the organization welcomed 2024 in both languages.
In the 11th second of play, Dallas took advantage of Mike Matheson’s nonchalance to break the ice.
“I am the tank commander now”
-Mike Matheson, probably. pic.twitter.com/QgmUV5mAsB
– Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) January 3, 2024
But Montreal still returned to the dressing room early.
First, Juraj Slafkovsky set up Nick Suzuki’s goal nicely.
The captain was on his 11th point in his last 10 games.
Good work by Harris to pinch on the boards, Slafkovsky picks it up and puts it on a platter for Nick Suzuki.
He destroys this one. 1-1. pic.twitter.com/D7VK8Ex5xM
– Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) January 3, 2024
Then, Kaiden Guhle gave his team the lead.
His third of the season.
Kaid-IN 
#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/U3qd5JrvOE
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 3, 2024
In the second period, Jordan Harris finally scored his first goal of the season.
His first since March 2023.
Jordan Harris with a far-side snipe to put the #Habs up 3-1 pic.twitter.com/4WEBUCdA16
– Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) January 3, 2024
At that point, every defenseman on the team had scored at least once this season.
It was the 30th goal scored by a defenseman in 2023-2024. What a blue line! Now imagine with Lane Hutson…
With Harris’ goal, every defenseman has a goal this season. 30th by team defensemen in 37th team game
3rd lowest number of games by a Habs defensive brigade to reach the 30-goal mark pic.twitter.com/GiHGD7L2aQ
– Guillaume Villemaire (@GVillemaire13) January 3, 2024
In the third period, the Habs were awarded a four-minute power play.
It was unable to capitalize, but the Stars were penalized again a few minutes later. This time, the club capitalized.
What a goal Cole Caufield scored on his birthday to make it 4-1.
23 years old and t̶o̶u̶t̶e̶s̶ ̶s̶e̶s̶ ̶d̶e̶n̶t̶s̶ all his talent
bday boy scores#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/0C8A7jWihB
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 3, 2024
It was his third goal in as many games.
He’s now on track for 24 goals.
However, the home team pulled their goalie with six minutes left in the game. They took advantage of this extra forward to give the Habs a run for their money.
First, Wyatt Johnston cut the deficit to two goals with his 10th of the season.
Wyatt Johnston gets one back for Dallas with just under 4 minutes left in regulation! #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/rm4iq39d3H
– Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) January 3, 2024
Jason Robertson then scored his 12th goal of the 2023-2024 campaign.
Jason Robertson’s 12th goal of the season makes it 4-3 Montreal with two minutes left in the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/mtCKnrjCRr
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2024
The Habs fought back and won.
Final score: 4-3 Canadian.
After a long seven-game road trip (with a bye in between), Martin St-Louis’ troupe will be back in action on Thursday at the Bell Centre. They face the Buffalo Sabres.
Montreal ends its trip with a 3-3-1 record. Not bad!
Overtime
– A match to forget for Josh Anderson, who was out of sorts for most of the game. He was injured three times, and the last injury took its toll. He didn’t finish the game.
It appears Josh Anderson is staying in this game, but man is that ever a less than ideal spot to take a shot. pic.twitter.com/G3PKQChz27
– Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) January 3, 2024
Jamie Benn busts open Josh Anderson’s face with a high-stick.
Habs on a four minute power play pic.twitter.com/7uSuweNjQN
– Scott Matla (@scottmatla) January 3, 2024
Josh Anderson gets his skate caught awkwardly, needs a lot of help getting to the locker room after pic.twitter.com/B9voGqRY9f
– Scott Matla (@scottmatla) January 3, 2024
His latest injury looks very serious…
– As for Samuel Montembeault, he stopped 32 of 35 shots. Carey Price, get out of that body.
– Matheson has made us used to the best and the worst.
– A better trip for Nick Suzuki.
The game’s not over, but
Suzuki’s holiday trip in 2022: 0 goals, 1 assist in 7 games
Holiday travel in 2023: 4 goals, 8 points in 7 games with tonight’s goal (Whitewashed only once)
– Guillaume Villemaire (@GVillemaire13) January 3, 2024
– Caufield, too, is having a good time.
Cole Caufield has goals in 3 straight games, has points in 7 of his last 8 as well. #GoHabsGo
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) January 3, 2024
– Michael Pezzetta got physically involved.
From earlier: The absolute violence of Michael Pezzetta. pic.twitter.com/o4QP3ef32G
– Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) January 3, 2024
– In addition to his official point, the Slovakian picked up the third assist on Caufield’s goal.
Slaf is increasingly active. He’s getting involved. His game is clicking. He’s less shy.
– Michel Bouchard (@bouchardmichel) January 3, 2024
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