{"id":210150,"date":"2026-03-08T08:30:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-08T08:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/210150\/"},"modified":"2026-03-08T08:30:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T08:30:19","slug":"star-players-salvage-a-point-in-anaheim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/210150\/","title":{"rendered":"Star Players Salvage A Point In Anaheim"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Montreal Canadiens<\/a> were in Anaheim on Friday night, hoping to build a little momentum during their time in California. The Habs were outclassed with ease by the San Jose Sharks earlier in the week, an unfortuitous start to the road trip, to say the least.<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s game featured several lead changes, a bevy of goals from important players, and yet another late-game comeback from the youngest team in the league, but it was the Ducks that emerged with a 6-5 shootout win.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dive into the highlights!<\/p>\n

Defence Optional<\/p>\n

It appeared the Ducks had taken a lead in under 15 seconds of play, but a smart review by head coach Martin St-Louis reset the pendulums.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for the Habs, the Ducks were not fazed, establishing a legitimate 1\u20130 lead just a few seconds later. <\/p>\n

To make matters more chaotic, the Habs came right back with a goal of their own, tying the game at the 1:01 mark of the first period. It was Nick Suzuki<\/a> (20) who benefited from strong board work by Juraj Slafkovsky<\/a>, and a good pass by Cole Caufield<\/a>. For the record, it was the fifth consecutive season in which Suzuki reached the 20-goal mark.<\/p>\n

It should be noted Slafkovsky was returned to the top line for the first time in a very long time, a long overdue decision from St-Louis.<\/p>\n

20e but \ud83e\udd1d 70e point#GoHabsGo<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LL6nUjmJ8H<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Canadiens Montr\u00e9al (@CanadiensMTL) March 7, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Lane Hutson<\/a> produced his 61st point in as many games, scoring his 11th goal of the season early in the first period. Once again, Slafkovsky was a crucial part of the scoring play, a good reminder that he was always the best option to play on the first line.<\/p>\n

61e point \u00e0 son 61e match de la saison<\/p>\n

When life gives you Lane, make Lane-menade \ud83c\udf4b #GoHabsGo<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/hkOlBwId8p<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Canadiens Montr\u00e9al (@CanadiensMTL) March 7, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

There\u2019s Always A Goal In The Banana Stand<\/p>\n

After Montembeault allowed a goal on the first shot of the game (twice, depending on how you look at it), he seemed to settle down, making a series of very nice saves to keep the Canadiens ahead by one.<\/p>\n

However, as has been the case all year long, Montembeault made a few great saves, and then proceeded to allow an unblocked shot from the point to beat him with ease.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a recurring theme that has to end if Montembeault is ever going to find his rhythm in the NHL.<\/p>\n

Samuel Montembeault has the third-worst save percentage in the league when it comes to unblocked low-danger shots (.948%)<\/p>\n

Only Carter Hart (.935%) and Samuel Ersson (.939%) have worse results. <\/p>\n

(via https:\/\/t.co\/KrAsQgJEar<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/bgF0uhbHTq<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) March 7, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Another recurring theme is Montreal\u2019s complete disregard for any semblance of discipline. <\/p>\n

Josh Anderson is one of the usual suspects, putting the Ducks on the powerplay midway through the second period on Friday night. Jackson Lacombe took advantage, giving Anaheim their second lead of the evening. <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8 Comber \ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n

We take the lead on the power play! #FlyTogether<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wTTLM4VJ7a<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 7, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

First Line Impact<\/p>\n

With the Ducks up 4-2, Caufield found the back of the net for the 36th time this season, giving the Canadiens an important dose of energy midway through the third period. The play led to well-deserved assists for both Hutson and Noah Dobson. <\/p>\n

La patience est une vertu<\/p>\n

Pretty, patient, poised, picture-perfect passing play #GoHabsGo<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/cl5e2PQg62<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Canadiens Montr\u00e9al (@CanadiensMTL) March 7, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Cardiac Kids<\/p>\n

Montreal has a very hard time holding onto leads, but they\u2019re one of the best teams in the league when it comes to third-period comebacks. <\/p>\n

With that in mind, Alexander Carrier scored for the Habs shortly after Caufield made his mark, tying the game at 4-4 with roughly eight minutes left in the frame.<\/p>\n

\u00c7a s’\u00e9crit Alexandre Carr-yay<\/p>\n

Tie game in Anaheim, Carrier on\u2026#GoHabsGo<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/qA1CsQdTKN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Canadiens Montr\u00e9al (@CanadiensMTL) March 7, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

With the momentum firmly in Montreal\u2019s corner, Caufield scored his second of the game, with helpers going to Dobson and Hutson, the Canadiens\u2019 new super pairing. <\/p>\n

Caufield has truly emerged as a one of the best multi-scoring threats in the league, whether it be via a great shot, a nice tip, or a second-chance scoring opportunity. His 37th goal of the season was critical, as the Ducks would go on to tie the game with less than a minute left in the third period.<\/p>\n

COLE COUNTY#GoHabsGo<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/EPZpN5PUd6<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Canadiens Montr\u00e9al (@CanadiensMTL) March 7, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Shootout<\/p>\n

The game went to a shootout, where Ivan Demidov scored his first career goal in that situation, but it was not enough, as the Ducks eventually emerged with the win.<\/p>\n

Ivan Demidov scores his first career shootout goal. #GoHabsGo<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xRfgYJBbZL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) March 7, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

The Montreal Canadiens will be back in action on Saturday, facing the Kings in Los Angeles. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 pm ET.<\/p>\n

All Montreal Canadiens statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Natural Stat Trick<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\t\t\"avatar\"<\/p>\n

\t\tMarc has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for Journal Metro, The Athletic, The … More about Marc Dumont<\/a><\/p>\n

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