After three days off, the Canadiens were back in action in Columbus this evening, completing a five-game road trip against the Blue Jackets.
For the occasion, Joel Armia took Michael Pezzetta’s place in the Tricolore line-up, while Samuel Montembeault was on duty in front of net.
Tonight’s lineup
Tonight’s lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/FGvusXLQYp
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) November 30, 2023
On the Blue Jackets’ side, Patrik Laine was in the lineup, having been left out a few games ago.
For the complete line-up, click here :
Projected lines ready to launch
https://t.co/0j79BsICmB pic.twitter.com/f4VwF4LUv7
– Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 29, 2023
In the first period, we were treated to some… uninspiring hockey. It was pretty ordinary on both sides, and apart from a good scoring chance for Juraj Slafkovský, it wasn’t a highlight reel.
In fact, the CH looked like a club in a turnaround competition, and if that had really been the case, it would have been one hell of a powerhouse. Cole Caufield was particularly bad at this in the first twenty minutes.
The Habs complete the giveaway hat trick! pic.twitter.com/JPufNRSsBz
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 30, 2023
After 20 minutes that won’t go down in history, the score was 0-0.
In the second half, however, we finally had something to sink our teeth into. Both teams played with more intensity, and it was a good show.
However, it was once again a laborious CH sequence that led to the first goal: a horrible turnover and lack of effort from all players (except Justin Barron) allowed Patrik Laine to open the scoring.
LAINE GETS US ON THE BOARD 
– Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 30, 2023
But the lack of effort seemed to wake Alex Newhook up, and he went to great lengths to find the back of the net. After hitting the post, he kept on working and finally scored his goal.
Over the last few games, he’s really been one of the club’s best strikers.
Seconds after hitting the post!
Seconds after hitting the post! #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/j8Y0nTCFK8
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) November 30, 2023
The turnaround festival cost the Tricolore again a few minutes later, however, when Kaiden Guhle gave the disc back to the Blue Jackets in the Montreal zone.
Yegor Chinakhov made sure to make him pay.
CHINNY SHOOTS CHINNY SCORES @FanaticsBook | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/H7b2JcZ48s
– Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 30, 2023
Once again, though, the CH made sure to redeem their mistake. Christian Dvorak’s trio continued to make their presence felt, as Cole Caufield pounced on a return to score his third goal of the season at 5-on-5.
Dvorak is clearly the weak link in the trio, but the other two have had great chemistry in recent games.
It’s a tie, courtesy of Cole 
Right place at the right time#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/qeN5893D0n
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) November 30, 2023
After a scoreless first period, the score was 2-2 after 40 minutes.
Midway through the third period, we were finally treated to the game’s first power play, but the Blue Jackets were unable to capitalize. All in all, both clubs were very disciplined tonight.
With just under three minutes to go, Mike Matheson unleashed a fierce shot on the Jackets‘ net. Luckily for him, Joel Armia was in front of the net and deflected his shot into the home net.
It was the Finn’s second goal of the season, and his first game-winner in nearly four years.
A great way to celebrate his comeback!
Nice #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/4dDVy2Vwyn
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) November 30, 2023
With six skaters on the ice late in the game, the Blue Jackets tried to tie the game, but Montembeault and the Canadiens held on.
Gustav Lindström completed the scoring in an empty net.
A good forecheck by Armia leads to an empty-net goal for Gustav Lindstrom. 4-2 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/e0c3UvRlU0
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 30, 2023
Final score: 4-2 Montreal
The CH will be back in action tomorrow, when it finally returns to the Bell Centre for the first time in two weeks. The CH will be back in action tomorrow, when it finally returns to the Bell Centre for the first time in two weeks, for a game against the Panthers.
Extension
– Nothing less.
With a goal tonight, Cole Caufield (145) becomes the 5th player in CH history to reach the 60-goal plateau before the 150-game mark, after Howie Morenz (74), Maurice Richard (83), Jean Béliveau (132) and Joe Benoit (135) pic.twitter.com/jru5jCxRST
– RDS (@RDSca) November 30, 2023
– Josh Anderson has now played 11 times as many games as Kirby Dach in 2023-24… yet they have the same number of points this season (2). And Dach hasn’t played two full games…
– Jake Evans is going to have to unlock.
While much of the focus has been on #Habs Josh Anderson not scoring a goal in the first 21 games this season, teammate Jake Evans hasn’t scored since getting one goal in the first game. #HabsIO
– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) November 30, 2023
– Jayden Struble was solid again tonight. Maybe JiC is right and Arber Xhekaj needs to start fearing for his job…
– Watching the game, you quickly realize he committed more than just one.
The official NHL scoresheet had Caufield with 1 giveaway in the first period.
He had 4 according to SportLogiq (RDS).
A good reminder that what actually happens and what gets noted by the NHL doesn’t always line up.
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 30, 2023
– Speaking of the CH, Filip Mešár scored (another) goal in the OHL tonight.
Mešár dekes through the defense and sneaks one in at the near post @OHLRangers | #GoHabsGo | @CanadiensMTL pic.twitter.com/0ataSySOYv
– Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) November 30, 2023
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