Saturday night.
What could be better than a Canadiens-Leafs duel?
Here are the lineups:
Saturday Night @NHL Game #LeafsForever vs #GoHabsGo Live from the Bell Center – Tune in to @TSN690 for @Victor_Findlay & I on the call. @MitchyGallo & @LucaScott98 with us for pre-game, intermissions & post-game shows.
Line Ups pic.twitter.com/Ni4JlAx4ue
— Coach Jon Goyens (@gourmet_hockey) January 18, 2025
Montreal did not let the Leafs assert themselves in the first period.
Martin St-Louis’s team scored three goals during the first twenty, including two in nine seconds at the end of the period.
First, with a delay of game penalty, Kirby Dach scored his ninth goal of the season.
Kirby Dach opens the scoring at the Bell Centre! #HockeyDay pic.twitter.com/M9yGcjKSSU
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 19, 2025
Later, on a power play, Patrik Laine scored from his office.
ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER PATRIK LAINE POWER PLAY GOAL pic.twitter.com/HW9IvjRtlz
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 19, 2025
And exactly nine seconds later, Josh Anderson played Superman and scored a beautiful goal.
He served quite a cup of coffee to Max Domi, the guy he was traded for.
Nine seconds later, Josh Anderson makes a sweet move to make it 3-0 for the @CanadiensMTL #HockeyDay pic.twitter.com/fZ7Bljobop
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 19, 2025
At the end of the period, Arber Xhekaj refused an invitation from Ryan Reaves and at the start of the next period, he gave him a big hit.
Check this out:
Xhekaj flattens Reaves! pic.twitter.com/0W8cK6NKL7
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) January 19, 2025
A few moments later, Toronto finally showed signs of life.
After a missed shot by Christian Dvorak, Bobby McMann took advantage to close the gap.
Bobby McMann puts the Leafs on the board pic.twitter.com/mZc8uZ6xNo
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 19, 2025
With just over a minute left in the second period, the gap was narrowed even further.
Nick Robertson redirected a pass from Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the power play.
Nick Robertson with the redirect to bring the @MapleLeafs within one! #HockeyDay pic.twitter.com/F4XDEmhWrM
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 19, 2025
The Habs took their foot off the gas and what had to happen, happened: Toronto tied the game.
In the first few seconds, William Nylander made Lane Hutson and Samuel Montembeault look foolish.
William Nylander completely mocks Lane Hutson pic.twitter.com/Rz0tiuIsQE
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) January 19, 2025
And a few minutes later, the visitors took the lead for the first time in the match.
Still on the power play, a shot from the point beat Monty.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson with a seeing-eye shot from the point gives the Leafs the lead! #HockeyDay pic.twitter.com/EY5N1DGnEK
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 19, 2025
Auston Matthews inflicted serious damage on Montreal with a shot from the high slot.
The Quebec native should have stopped that shot without traffic.
AUSTON MATTHEWS SHORTHANDED GOAL
That’s FIVE unanswered for the Leafs pic.twitter.com/73KY5ahnmM
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 19, 2025
Final score: 7-3 Toronto, who added a sixth and seventh unanswered goal.
Montreal will return to action tomorrow against the Rangers at the Bell Centre.
Overtime
– A pretty challenging game for Lane Hutson. He got a penalty after being served a cup of coffee, which led to the second Leafs goal. And he was beaten for speed on the tying goal. That can happen, however. He finished the game at minus-5.
– It was tough for the goaltender too. Six goals given up on 33 shots. Long live Jakub Dobes’ departure, tomorrow.
– The Habs were not opportunistic, especially during the last two periods. It’s a painful loss, but the team can bounce back tomorrow.
– Oh really.
1 single scout at the Bell Centre tonight. https://t.co/SCjOgsws5M
— Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) January 18, 2025
– Haha.
Good thing Nick’s dad Dr. Rob Suzuki is a dentist @RDSuzuki pic.twitter.com/TKNoGHfZyY
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 19, 2025
– A trade was close.
Saturday Headlines: Miller trade was close, but something happened and he will play. (People asked if he vetoed…no, I don’t believe that is issue). Some teams have permission to talk to him; Pettersson asks to stay.
Also: Kings/NHL charity game to benefit those affected by…
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 19, 2025
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