Canadiens’ Sean Monahan scores late to spoil Patrick Roy’s return

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Montreal 4, N.Y. Islanders 3. Followers cheer former goalie throughout nationwide anthem.

Revealed Jan 25, 2024  •  4 minute learn

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It’s a superb factor Sean Monahan doesn’t have social media, since many on that platform are suggesting the Canadiens’ centre might be traded earlier than the March 8 deadline.

There’s little question Monahan’s worth to a different potential suitor elevated exponentially Thursday night time. He scored two objectives, together with the winner with 2:12 remaining in regulation time, whereas including an help within the Canadiens’ 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders on the Bell Centre.

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The victory ended Montreal’s three-game shedding streak whereas bettering the crew’s report to 20-21-7 heading into Saturday night time’s contest at Pittsburgh — the Canadiens’ ultimate match earlier than a week-long bye throughout which the crew gained’t play or apply.

The win additionally ruined Patrick Roy‘s homecoming, the previous Canadiens’ goaltending nice named New York’s head coach final weekend following the firing of Lane Lambert. The Islanders are 1-2 because the change.

The Canadiens’ group, in a cultured transfer, confirmed a montage of Roy through the singing of the Canadian nationwide anthem, following which the spectators erupted in an enormous ovation as he was proven on the scoreboard.

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The Islanders cancelled their morning skate, not making Roy out there to the media till late afternoon, hoping his presence wouldn’t be a distraction. Whereas the tribute ought to have supplied the guests with momentum, it was the Canadiens who jumped to a 3-0 lead earlier than 13 minutes had elapsed — the objectives coming from Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Monahan.

It was Suzuki’s first aim in 11 video games, whereas Caufield scored his team-leading seventeenth this season. Suzuki and Monahan scored on the facility play.

“Undoubtedly obtained the chills,” captain Suzuki mentioned of the tribute to Roy. “I used to be on the ice so didn’t actually know what was happening. He’s a legend round right here. It was good of the followers to present an ovation like that.

“Typically you overthink it,” he added. “We’ve performed in Tampa for (head coach Martin St. Louis). It was the identical factor and we haven’t at all times performed our greatest there. When there’s a whole lot of emotion you actually wish to have a superb begin. We discovered a solution to get three within the first interval. It was a fairly full sport from us and that’s what we would have liked … the win. That’s all that issues proper now.”

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St. Louis, like Suzuki, mentioned he additionally wasn’t fairly sure what was transpiring through the singing of O Canada.

“It undoubtedly was an amazing second,” he mentioned. “I believe it’s undoubtedly properly deserved. I didn’t actually know what they have been cheering for, till I seemed on the (scoreboard). I assume they needed to get it out of the way in which early. I believe it was an enormous second for Patrick and the followers. I believe our crew fed off that power.”

Whereas the objectives have been the primary for Monahan since Jan. 10, he contributed seven assists over a four-game span and has been enjoying properly. Monahan, who had a team-leading 5 photographs in opposition to New York, now has 13 objectives and 34 factors in 48 video games. He’s considered one of seven Montreal gamers but to overlook a sport.

“I believe (Monahan) is enjoying some good hockey proper now,” St. Louis mentioned. “I believe the play of (Joel Armia) has helped. I believe our power-play has helped him. I wouldn’t say it’s one factor. For an offensive participant, when your power-play is getting you some objectives … it helps you retain your confidence. Typically you’re enjoying properly as a result of your linemates are enjoying properly. I’m not taking something away from (Monahan).”

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After Bo Horvat beat Samuel Montembeault early within the second interval whereas the Islanders loved a two-man benefit for 1:18, a reckless act by Brendan Gallagher almost value the Canadiens. Gallagher obtained a five-minute main, and match penalty, for a success to the top on defenceman Adam Pelech within the impartial zone. Gallagher left his ft to ship an elbow on Pelech, who went to the crew’s dressing room.

Mathew Barzal and Kyle Palmieri scored on the following energy play, and Gallagher will undoubtedly face a suspension for his lack of self-discipline.

“I discovered we performed with fireplace fairly a bit tonight — and we nearly obtained burned,” St. Louis mentioned.

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However due to Monahan, and Caufield, who created a turnover and began the play that led to the profitable aim, the Canadiens salvaged the night.

“I felt we competed, stayed with it,” Monahan mentioned. “Clearly spent an excessive amount of time within the penalty field, however discovered a solution to win. We would have liked that, particularly right here on house ice.”

Montembeault stopped 43 photographs for a .935 save proportion — and might need made Roy begrudgingly appreciative of his work within the course of.

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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