The Montreal Canadiens faced the Vancouver Canucks for the second time in consecutive nights after falling just short on Wednesday night, 6-5. The contest ended in a shootout, where Tyler Toffoli, a former Canuck, would tally three goals en route to the victory.
Thursday was the battle of the backups, with Jake Allen in the net for Montreal and Thatcher Demko in net for Vancouver, looking for his second win of the season. The game got off to a fast start and it looked as though a repeat of Wednesday night in order.
Starting the night off on a strong note, Tyler Toffoli didn’t wait long to get going, as two minutes in, he found himself outside the crease and managed to beat Demko from close range to open the scoring. That would put Montreal ahead early, 1-0.
That lead didn’t last for long, as 90 seconds later, Bo Horvat tipped a Tyler Myers shot by backstop Jake Allen to knot the game at one apiece. In what become a high scoring affair, Joel Armia scored his first of the season on a failed turnover attempt by Vancouver’s defence. He put Montreal ahead, as buried the puck low glove side on Demko.
Two minutes later, on the man-advantage, Bo Horvat scored his second of the game, as he beat Jake Allen top shelf to tie the game. The period ended at two apiece, as the two teams exited for the first intermission. Entering the second period, and with Edmundson in the box for boarding, it didn’t seem to phase Montreal, as they would score shorthanded off a bad turnover attempt from Vancouver. Once again, Tyler Toffoli would go on a breakaway, beating Demko in the crease with a great move.
Discipline, again, was a major factor, as the refs made a series of calls, seeing both teams penalized in a span of 10 minutes. However, luckily nothing would come out of it. With five minutes left in the period, Josh Anderson scored his third of the season, as he batted a flying puck out of mid-air and into the net to make it 4-2 Montreal.
Off the ensuing face-off, the Canadiens would score again, as forward Jake Evans received a great pass from Paul Byron and put the puck top shelf to increase their lead, now 5-2 in favour of the Habs. From there through to the remainder, it seemed Montreal was in full control of this one.
Continuing to show who’s boss, Armia, just two minutes later, would boost their lead to 6-2 with his second of the season. Becoming a full on route, Armia potted it in style on a rather slick backhand. Travis Greene would challenge the call, however, after review, it was deemed a good goal. Losing the challenge to montreal, the Vancouver Canucks were charged with a delay of game penalty.
Entering the final frame, the Canadiens were looking to finish off strong, not giving life to Vancouver to get back into the game. In doing so, this saw the Canucks handed three straight penalties in a back-and-forth period. With just about a minute remaining, Tyler Myers was charged a five-minute major for a hit to the head, as he took down Joel Armia.
While the defensemen left the ice under his own power, the Canadiens went back on the power play, and within a 90 second span, Ben Chairot would score. That would put the Habs up 7-3, as the 6’3 defensemen unleashed the puck on a wicked slap-shot.
Reviewing the call with a tenth of a second left, the officials allowed it to end, as the game siren sounded in an empty Rogers Arena. The last of this three-game series goes on Saturday night with both teams seeking the victory. With puck drop scheduled for 7:00pmET, the game is available for viewing on CityTV, CBC and Sportsnet. As well, the game can be heard on TSN 690 Montreal and Sportsnet 650.