An unexpected hero showed up at the Bell Center on Tuesday. Evgenii Dadonov scored twice in the Montreal Canadiens’ 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
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The Russia striker’s smiles have been as rare as his nets since the start of the season. However, he doubled his production by threading the needle twice in the middle period.
As for him, Samuel Montembeault shone between the Canadian’s posts in that fifth straight start. He stopped 25 pucks en route to his ninth win of the season – a new career high on the Bettman Tour.
Unpredictable CH
On the one hand, the healthiest team in the Western Conference, which had only lost one of its previous nine games.
On the other hand, the sixth worst formation on the circuit that just lost the services of three regular attackers, Jake Evans, Joel Armia and Juraj Slafkovsky.
We had every right to expect a very long evening at Bell Center, but the Jets instead fell into the tricolor trap, as did the New York Rangers on Sunday.
After conceding the first goal of the game, a power-play success from Kyle Connor, Martin St-Louis’ men tightened their play in the defensive zone and in the transition game to gain the upper hand.
In front of his parents and against his brother Morgan, Justin Barron served up what might be his best assist of his National Hockey League career, on the goal that started the tie. He spotted Dadonov at the other end of the offensive line so the Russia winger could pull on reception and score his third goal of the season.
Shortly thereafter, Barron made himself the accomplice of another unloved CH striker. Mike Hoffman demonstrated his marksmanship by beating Connor Hellebuyck in the top section to give his team the lead.
Dadonov then jumped on a rebound to put CH 3-1 ahead. Josh Anderson completed the result by capitalizing on a Kirby Dach-inspired breakthrough in the third period.
Also, Cole Caufield received his first penalty minutes of the season at the end of the middle section. He tripped Josh Morrissey.
The CH greets ECJ
In addition, before the opening game, the Habs saluted the heroics of the members of the Canada team that won gold at the last World Junior Hockey Championship.
Unsurprisingly, CH hopes Joshua Roy and Owen Beck received a warm welcome. Assistant coach Stéphane Julien and Quebecers Tyson Hinds and Nathan Gaucher also received awards.
The Habs will also play their next four home games. The Florida Panthers visit Bell Center on Thursday.