After a loss in Carolina a few days ago, the Canadiens were back in action tonight in Florida.
Here is Martin St-Louis’ line-up:
Tonight’s lineup
Tonight’s lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/9QQF5FdSSz
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 31, 2023
And the one for visitors:
#TimeToHunt in warmups:
Rodrigues – Barkov – Reinhart
Verhaeghe – Bennett – Tkachuk
Luostarinen – Lundell – Cousins
Lomberg – Stenlund – Lockwood
Forsling – Ekblad
Mikkola – Montour
OEL – Kulikov
Stoalrz
Bobrovsky
– Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) December 30, 2023
No goals were scored in the first half, but there was no shortage of action.
First, Michael Pezzetta threw down the gloves.
Michael Pezzetta is not one to trifle with. pic.twitter.com/IULmkdqCGI
– Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) December 31, 2023
And late in the period, Ryan Lomberg slyly pushed Justin Barron into the net. Fortunately, the young defenseman got up and continued the game.
Juraj Slafkovsky came to his defense. He wins points (again).
Ryan Lomberg shoves Justin Barron into the goalpost, Juraj Slafkovsky isn’t a fan pic.twitter.com/lUB1tFhcHJ
– Scott Matla (@scottmatla) December 31, 2023
In the second period, the scoring began. First, the Panthers opened the scoring.
Eetu Luostarinen, the scorer.
Florida goal!
Scored by Eetu Luostarinen with 15:55 remaining in the 2nd period.
Assisted by Evan Rodrigues and Sam Bennett.
Florida: 1
Montreal: 0#MTLvsFLA #TimeToHunt #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/wpWHe6d4Z6
– NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) December 31, 2023
But Cole Caufield, on the power play, brought everyone back to square one with a beautiful goal.
His ninth of the season.
Good lord that is a filthy backhander by Cole Caufield pic.twitter.com/bitswrJF1g
– Scott Matla (@scottmatla) December 31, 2023
A little later, it was Florida’s turn to get on the power play.
The team thought they had taken advantage, but a challenge from Martin St-Louis brought the goal back.
Carter finishes a beautiful passing play but Montreal challenges for offside and after review, the goal is called back.
Still 1-1 halfway through the second.
– Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) December 31, 2023
After two periods, it was a complete tie.
Florida led 17-8 in shots on goal.
In the third period, Eeto Luostarinen put the Panthers back in front. This time, the goal was good.
Eetu Luostarinen nets his second power-play goal of the game! 
– NHL (@NHL) December 31, 2023
And late in the period, Sam Bennett put the final nail in the Montreal coffin.
GOAL !!
OEL point shot tipped by Sam Bennett in front!!!
Panthers lead 3-1! pic.twitter.com/WShlVVnn0t
– Adam Reid (@AdamReid_) December 31, 2023
Final score: 4-1 Panthers, who added an insurance goal in an empty net.
Florida allowed only 19 shots on goal to the Tricolore. They played well defensively… The Canadiens simply lack offensive talent.
The team’s next game is tomorrow in Tampa Bay.
Prolongation
– Mike Matheson’s 500th game against his first NHL team.
Mike Matheson’s 500th game… where it all began! 
Achieving a career milestone where it all started. Congrats, Mike#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/foTOCPqBPn
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 31, 2023
– Yes.
– He doesn’t like his young teammate.
Mike Matheson decided to take a terrible shot through like 17 players at the start of the PP instead of passing it to a wide open Juraj Slafkovsky & the Habs proceeded to do nothing else for the rest of the PP. pic.twitter.com/TXeE7xaL0f
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 31, 2023
– Resubmit him to the waivers.
Joel Armia looking for the Habs team bus going to Tampa Bay after the gamepic.twitter.com/E4AZ0GVDpY
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 31, 2023
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