Habs Fall in Shootout, Sens Move to 2-0-0
The Habs wrapped up their season opening 2 game road trip with a shootout loss in Ottawa Saturday night. The loss leaves them with a record of 1-0-1 on the season. For the Sens the game was a second straight overtime win, after downing the Leafs in the season opener.
Petry Celebrates a Goal vs the Sens
Montreal fell behind early in this one, with the Sens grabbing a 2-0 lead on 1st period goals by Ryan Dzingel and Zach Smith. Montreal responded in the 2nd when Jeff Petry knocked home a power play goal to make it 2-1. The Habs opened the 3rd period with a game tying goal by Artturi Lehkonen, and would later take the lead on Petry’s second of the game. Unfortunately the Sens recovered quickly and Tom Pyatt tied the game late to send it to overtime.
Sens Captain Secures the SO Win
Blanks by both sides in the overtime period forced the 1st shootout of the season for Montreal and both sides managed to light the lamp on their first attempts, with Kyle Turris scoring for the Sens and Alexander Radulov for the Habs. A series of misses by both teams set up a sudden death extra shooters situation and Sens Captain Erik Karlsson snapped home his attempt to put his team ahead. Habs centerman David Desharnais then whiffed on his attempt to secure the Sens victory.
New Names Making an Impression
Rookie Artturi Lehkonen Had his 1st Career Goal
The Habs saw new acquisitions make an impact in this one. Rookie Artturi Lehkonen nabbed his first career goal. A 2013 Habs draft pick Lehkonen is opening the season with the big club and hopes to remain in town. Putting your team on the board is definitely a good step in doing so. The Canadiens also saw Alexander Radulov notch a shootout marker, his first after signing with the team in the off-season. Although it will not count as a goal for the controversial forward, the effort is not lost on Habs fans who hope Radulov’s past troubles are behind him.
Next Up: Home Opener vs the Cup Champions
With this game in the books Montreal now moves forward to Tuesday’s home opener vs the Penguins. The defending Stanley Cup Champions have a 2-0-0 record after their Saturday win over Washington, but will be playing a second game in 2 days when they enter the Bell Center on Tuesday. The match-up could potentially see Mike Condon face off against the Habs for the first time since being waived by the team last week. The second year goalie had a 21-25-6 record with the Habs last year, serving as the starting goalie in Carey Price‘s absence.
Price’s absence is something that will hopefully be put behind us on Tuesday, as the elite goaltender will hopefully be recovered from his bout with the flu and be ready to play. Habs fans have not seen their All Star goalie play on Bell Center ice since last November when he went down with a season ending injury. The Penguins are unlikely to see their star Captain Sidney Crosby, who is suffering the effects of a concussion received during a pre-season practice. The Bell Center crowd will be in full voice on Tuesday, especially if Price is able to make his return.
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