The Montreal Canadiens consider they’re taking part in higher than the outcomes present.
They’ve one other probability to show it Saturday evening once they go to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Canadiens misplaced their fifth recreation in a row and ninth in 11 video games (2-7-2) on Thursday evening, a 5-3 choice to the host New Jersey Devils.
“We did not get possibly a bounce right here and there, however the engagement and the work and the intentions are proper the place I need them to be,” Montreal coach Martin St. Louis mentioned. “We’re simply not getting rewarded proper now and that is OK. We will maintain going and we’ll attempt to discover some solutions for some gamers which might be possibly preventing it and we’ll maintain engaged on the collective recreation, however I believe that is in place.”
The Canadiens recorded a 1-0 victory over the Maple Leafs within the season opener on Oct. 9. They’ve received three video games since then.
Toronto might be with out captain Auston Matthews (upper-body damage) for the third consecutive recreation. He was placed on injured reserve on Friday and will return on Tuesday when Toronto completes a four-game homestand in opposition to the Ottawa Senators.
“We’re getting in the fitting course, in order that’s excellent news,” Toronto coach Craig Berube mentioned of Matthews’ damage.
Toronto has received each video games with out Matthews after defeating the Detroit Pink Wings 3-1 on Friday evening. The Maple Leafs scored two objectives on the facility play and have 5 objectives on the person benefit over the previous two video games after scoring 4 within the first 13 video games of the season.
Toronto had three power-play objectives Tuesday in a 4-0 win over the Boston Bruins.
Though his group was victorious, Toronto left winger Max Pacioretty famous simply how a lot the group missed Matthews within the lineup.
“We’re speaking about the most effective participant on the earth right here,” he mentioned. “You need him within the lineup each evening attainable. There isn’t a changing him. There’s a enhance when you recognize he’s in right here doing all the things he can to return again and assist the group. Perhaps that offers you a lift in a way the place we need to make sure that we do proper by him; he is our chief. However as soon as once more, we’re speaking about the most effective participant on the earth. It is arduous to justify.”
John Tavares scored twice for Toronto on Friday. Mitchell Marner had a purpose and an help to increase his level streak to seven video games (two objectives, 9 assists).
The Canadiens have gotten annoyed.
“We’re taking part in adequate hockey,” mentioned Montreal proper winger Brendan Gallagher, who scored a purpose on Thursday. “It wasn’t good, but it surely was adequate hockey the place extra instances than (not) if you happen to play like that you’ll be on the opposite aspect of it. Tonight we weren’t. Clearly, with the way in which issues are going proper now it is irritating, however no person’s going to really feel sorry for you. You have to proceed to do the work.”
“We’ve to take a look at the positives on this one, I believe,” mentioned middle Jake Evans, who had an help on Thursday. “We had been simply speaking about it. There’s 68 video games left, so if we play like that the majority nights I believe we’ll have a very good probability.”
–Discipline Stage Media
