Canadiens Sick Postgame: Fowler Clutch; Habs Win In SO

Here is your Sick Media Montreal Canadiens Postgame:

THREE STARS:

1. Jacob Fowler (30 saves, 6/6 in SO)

2. Daniil Tarasov (30 saves, 5/6 in SO)

3. Zach Bolduc (Shootout winner, 3 shots)

CLUTCH: 

Jacob Fowler‘s game on Saturday was the most clutch performance by a Montreal Canadien so far this season. Not only did he stop all 30 shots in regulation and overtime as well as the six shooters he faced in the shootout, but it was also the quality of shots he faced. Fowler had to come up with multiple big saves on breakaways and penalty kills to keep the Red Wings off the board. 

UNSUNG HERO:

Zach Bolduc was the unsung hero for the Canadiens on Saturday night. For Bolduc, it wasn’t only about getting the shootout-winning goal, but it was because he remained a threat around the Red Wings’ net all game long. The fact that he got the game winner in the shootout gave the game justice, as there wasn’t a Canadiens player who deserved it more. Bolduc had 3 shots on goal in 15:48 of ice time.

An honourable mention for an unsung hero goes to defenseman Kaiden Guhle, who made his season debut on Saturday. Guhle provided the Canadiens with a solid physical presence that seemed to settle the team’s defense as a whole. He finished the night with four hits while playing 15:35. 

SPECIAL SAUCE: 

The Montreal Canadiens power play went 0-for-4 on Saturday, while their penalty kill was 4/4. 

THE BANGERS: 

Guhle’s four hits against the Red Wings were tied for the most with forward Josh Anderson on the Canadiens. Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider’s 6 hits led both teams on the night. 

SIN-BIN:  

The Montreal Canadiens’ power play struggles were a serious problem once again against the Red Wings. There were multiple opportunities for the Canadiens to score as they controlled play, but unfortunately they continued to pass the puck looking for the perfect play, which wasn’t available. They are now 1-for-17 on the man advantage, following the game against the Red Wings, and had it not been for Fowler standing tall, it could have cost them another two points. The Canadiens can’t afford to look for the perfect play to score on the man advantage anymore. 

Cole Caufield appeared to score a goal early in the first period; however, it was deemed that the play was inconclusive, that the puck completely crossed the line, and that there was no goal after the reviewing. Considering how the original call on the ice was a goal, the initial decision should have stood with the play being inconclusive. It’s not to say calling no goal was the wrong decision, but there is controversy since there was no evidence that conclusively overturned the call.

UP NEXT: 

The Montreal Canadiens will finish their four-game home stand on Tuesday night against the Buffalo Sabres at 6:30 pm ET. They will then head on the road for a Wednesday night clash against the Washington Capitals at 7:30 pm ET. 

HOW THEY LINED UP:

Forwards:

Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Juraj Slafkovsky 

Chris Kreider – Alex Newhook – Josh Anderson

Alexandre Texier – Phillip Danault – Zach Bolduc

Jake Evans – Kirby Dach

Defense:

Mike Matheson – Alexandre Carrier

Lane Hutson – Noah Dobson 

Arber Xhekaj – Adam Engstrom

Kaiden Guhle 

Goalies:

Jacob Fowler

Jakub Dobes

For the best live postgame analysis of every Montreal Canadiens game on week nights, watch the Sick Podcasts Postgame with Tony Marinaro, Pierre McGuire, Marco D’Amico, and guests!